Definition

• A graft is a medical procedure where material is taken from one source and surgically attached to another source. Grafted tissue can come from a different part of the patient himself, a human donor or, in some cases, even an animal of a different species. Skin grafts, for example, are sometimes useful for burn victims, to help burned skin heal by introducing healthy skin to the affected area.
  
  

Dental Grafting

• The most common type of grafting for dental purposes is a bone graft. If you lose a tooth from your lower set, a dental surgeon will replace the lost tooth with an implanted artificial one. However, the jaw bone may not be large enough in some places to accommodate the implant. To overcome this problem, you may need a bone graft. The surgeon will take some bone tissue from a different source and attach it to your jaw where you need it for the implant.
  
  

Insurance

• Bone grafts are not always covered by dental insurance. Standard dental insurance excludes dental implants, so you will almost always have to fund some of the procedure yourself. The insurance may pay for the graft, however, under certain circumstances. Call your dental provider before the procedure to see if you have any coverage for the bone graft. The receptionist at your dentist's office may be able to help you understand your plan's benefits.
  
  

Cost

• If you must pay for the bone graft, expect the procedure to cost anywhere from $250 to $900 per area, as of 2011. If you must receive an autogenous graft, meaning one that comes from your own body, the cost can be much higher, sometimes over $2,500 due to the hospitalization, anesthesia, medication and other charges involved. You may be tempted to refuse the graft if insurance doesn't cover it, but this jeopardizes the success of the implant. If the implant fails, you lose your entire investment and must start over.