New Hanover County · Since 1987
Bone Grafting in Carolina Beach, NC
Bone grafting rebuilds the jawbone where it has shrunk, so an implant has something solid to anchor to. It is often the reason an answer of "not enough bone" changes to yes.
- Three doctors, one location
- Sedation available
- Most major plans accepted
- Written estimates before treatment
A closer look at bone grafting
Once a tooth is lost, the bone that held it starts to resorb. After a few years there may not be enough width or height left for an implant. A graft adds material that the body gradually replaces with its own bone.
Full detail on bone grafting ›
Why Carolina Beach patients come to us for this
Nearly half the housing on Pleasure Island is seasonal, so the year-round community here is smaller and often skips routine care for years at a time.
Surgical recovery is easier in the quiet months, and we will happily schedule an elective extraction for October rather than July.
Pleasure Island's year-round community is roughly a third the size of its summer population, and dental care here is often deferred through the busy months.
Snow's Cut Bridge is the single point of access, so we schedule Carolina Beach appointments with the season in mind.
A significant share of the island's year-round workforce is in hospitality without employer dental coverage, and we handle those cases with payment plans rather than assumptions.
We see patients from across Carolina Beach and the surrounding area, including the Boardwalk, Carolina Beach State Park, Snow's Cut and the 28428 ZIP code.
New Hanover County is the built-out core of the region, growing around one percent a year, with roughly 21 percent of residents over 65 and the highest concentration of employer dental coverage in southeastern North Carolina.
Start large treatment in the autumn. The planning and provisional phases run through the quiet months and the finished result is in place before the season picks up.
We keep same-day slots open for Pleasure Island because a chipped tooth on a Saturday should not wait until the season ends.
You may be a candidate if
- A tooth being extracted where an implant is planned later
- Having been told you do not have enough bone for an implant
- A tooth lost years ago with a visibly sunken gum line
- A long-term denture wearer considering implants
- Bone loss from past gum disease around a planned implant site
From first visit to finished result
- 3D imagingA cone beam scan measures bone width and height at the site.
- Graft placementGraft material is placed and covered, often at the same visit as an extraction.
- HealingTypically three to six months while the graft becomes bone.
- ImplantThe implant is placed into the rebuilt site, sometimes at the same appointment as the graft.
Afterwards
Expect some swelling for a few days. Avoid chewing on the site, do not smoke, and do not press on it with your tongue or a denture unless we have adjusted it. Small granules of graft material in your mouth in the first week are normal.
If you are away for part of the year, tell us your dates at the start and we will build the schedule around them.
What it costs
Graft fees depend on the size of the site and the material used. A socket graft at extraction is a modest addition that often saves a far larger graft later. It appears as its own line on your implant estimate, and some plans contribute to it.
If your income is seasonal, say so at the consultation. We can time treatment phases to the part of the year that suits your cash flow.
In their own words
Hear from Dr. Barry Frazelle
Dr. Frazelle on why the injection is nothing to dread, and a cheap whitening habit he gives patients.
Questions we get asked
I was told years ago I do not have enough bone. Is that still true?
Possibly not. Grafting and angled implant techniques have changed what is possible. A new scan will tell us.
Where does the graft material come from?
Most dental grafts use processed donor or bovine bone that acts as a scaffold for your own bone to grow into. We explain the options at the consultation.
How far is your office from Carolina Beach?
About 15 miles, or roughly 28 minutes via US-421 North over Snow's Cut Bridge. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.
Do you see patients from Carolina Beach?
Regularly. Carolina Beach is part of our core service area in New Hanover County, and we keep same-day slots open for Pleasure Island because a chipped tooth on a Saturday should not wait until the season ends.
What are your hours?
Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am to 12:00pm. Outside those hours, leave a message or use the appointment request form and we will come back to you with the first available time.
Bone Grafting · Carolina Beach, NC
Surgery and restoration by the same team.
The doctor placing the implant is the one planning the crown, so position is driven by where the tooth needs to end up.
- 3D cone beam planning on every case
- Single implants through full arch All-on-4
- Sedation available for surgical appointments
- Written estimate before you commit
Been told you do not have enough bone? That answer is often out of date. Bring the scan.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.
