If your dentist told you that you need a bone graft before getting a dental implant, you may have wondered:
“Do I really need a bone graft, or is it just another way to increase the cost of treatment?”
It is a fair question. Bone grafts add time and cost to treatment, so many patients naturally wonder if they are really necessary.
The short answer is no, a bone graft is not a scam. In many cases, it is an important procedure that helps create a strong foundation for your future dental implant.
What Is a Bone Graft?²
A bone graft is a procedure that helps rebuild the jawbone when to make sure there is enough bone to support a dental implant. The graft acts as a framework that allows your body to produce new bone over time. Once the area has healed, the new bone becomes strong enough to support an implant.
Think of it like building a house. Before building the walls, you need a strong foundation. A dental implant works the same way. Without enough healthy bone, the implant may not have the support it needs.
Why Would Someone Need a Bone Graft?²
The most common reason is bone loss after a tooth has been missing for a long time.
Your jawbone stays healthy because the roots of your teeth stimulate it every time you chew. Once a tooth is removed, that stimulation is lost. Over time, the bone in that area begins to shrink.
Some patients also lose bone because of gum disease, infection, trauma, or a failed extraction.
If too much bone has been lost, placing an implant without rebuilding the area first may not be successful.
After a tooth is lost, the jawbone naturally begins to shrink over time due to a lack of stimulation.
Can I Just Skip the Bone Graft?¹
Sometimes you can, but many times you cannot. If you want to keep your options open in the future, it is best to proceed with a bone graft. Plus, a bone graft helps stabilize the bone around the neighboring teeth.
Whether you need a bone graft depends on how much bone remains. During your consultation, your dentist will examine the area using digital X-rays and, in many cases, a 3D CBCT scan. This allows your dentist to measure the amount of available bone and determine whether an implant can be placed safely.
If there is enough healthy bone, a bone graft may not be needed. If there is not enough bone, placing an implant without rebuilding the area first may increase the risk of implant failure.
Why Isn't the Bone Graft Included with the Implant? ²
Many patients think the bone graft is simply part of the implant procedure. However, it is a separate treatment that is only performed when it is necessary.
Some patients have enough bone and can receive an implant without a graft. Others need additional bone grafting before an implant can be placed safely. The treatment is based on your individual needs, not the same plan for every patient.
Why Are Bone Grafts Recommended Today When They Weren't Years Ago?
Many patients ask, “I’ve had teeth extracted before and never needed a bone graft. Why are you recommending one now?”
The answer is that times have changed. Years ago, dental implants were far less common, so preserving the bone after an extraction was not always a priority. Today, we know much more about how quickly the jawbone shrinks once a tooth is removed.
Because of this, bone grafting the extraction site is now often considered the standard of care. Think of it as the bare minimum a dentist should do to help keep the area healthy and preserve as much bone as possible for the future.
Even if you are not thinking about getting a dental implant today, you may change your mind years from now. Saving the bone now helps keep your options open. Teeth and dental needs change over time, and it is always better to preserve the bone while you have the opportunity than to rebuild it later.
Will Insurance Cover a Bone Graft?³
Whether insurance covers a bone graft depends on your individual plan and why the procedure is being performed.
Some dental insurance plans may help cover a bone graft if it is considered medically necessary. However, if the bone graft is performed before a dental implant, it may not be covered since implants are often considered an elective procedure.
This does not mean the bone graft is unnecessary. It simply means your insurance plan may not include benefits for treatment related to dental implants.
Credits:
Authored by: Omar Halimi
Edited by: Stephanie Diego DDS MPH
Published: July 19, 2026
References:
- American Academy of Periodontology. Ridge modification [Internet]. Chicago (IL): American Academy of Periodontology; [cited 2026 Jul 19]. Available from: https://www.perio.org/for-patients/periodontal-treatments-and-procedures/dental-implant-procedures/ridge-modification/
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Preserving bone for dental implants and oral health [Internet]. Rosemont (IL): American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; 2024 Jul [cited 2026 Jul 19]. Available from: https://myoms.org/what-we-do/extractions-and-dentoalveolar-surgery/preserving-bone-for-dental-implants-and-oral-health/
- Aetna. Bone graft policy (001) [Internet]. Hartford (CT): Aetna; reviewed 2025 Mar 24 [cited 2026 Jul 19]. Available from: https://www.aetna.com/health-care-professionals/clinical-policy-bulletins/dental-clinical-policy-bulletins/DCPB001.html