You've decided dental implants are the right solution for your missing teeth, but then your dentist mentions something unexpected: you might need a bone graft first. Wait, why does your jaw need extra preparation before implants can even be placed? Is this an additional hurdle that's going to slow everything down, or is it actually a routine part of the process for many patients? Does it hurt, and how long does it really add to your timeline? Understanding what bone grafting actually does can turn this from…