Bone Grafting & Sinus Lifts
Strengthening Your Jaw for Dental Implants
If you’ve lost teeth or experienced bone loss in your jaw, you may have been told that you don’t have enough bone for dental implants. Fortunately, bone grafting and sinus lifts can restore your jawbone, making implant placement possible and improving overall oral health. These procedures help rebuild lost bone, ensuring a strong, stable foundation for long-term dental restorations.
At Gramercy Dental Group, our expert oral surgeons use advanced bone regeneration techniques to restore your bone structure safely and effectively. Whether you need a minor bone graft or a sinus lift, we offer personalized solutions to help you regain full oral function and confidence in your smile.
Bone Grafting & Sinus Lifts – Strengthening Your Jaw for Dental Implants
If you’ve lost teeth or experienced bone loss in your jaw, you may have been told that you don’t have enough bone for dental implants. Fortunately, bone grafting and sinus lifts can restore your jawbone, making implant placement possible and improving overall oral health. These procedures help rebuild lost bone, ensuring a strong, stable foundation for long-term dental restorations.
At Gramercy Dental Group, our expert oral surgeons use advanced bone regeneration techniques to restore your bone structure safely and effectively. Whether you need a minor bone graft or a sinus lift, we offer personalized solutions to help you regain full oral function and confidence in your smile.
What Is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a procedure used to replace lost bone in the jaw, strengthening areas that have deteriorated due to tooth loss, gum disease, trauma, or aging. When a tooth is missing for an extended period, the surrounding bone begins to shrink, making it difficult to support an implant. Bone grafting restores bone volume, allowing for successful implant placement and improved facial structure.
How Does Bone Grafting Work?
During a bone graft procedure, our surgeon places biocompatible bone material in the deficient area. This material can come from:
- Your own bone (autograft) – Often taken from the jaw or another part of the body.
- Donor bone (allograft) – Processed human bone.
- Animal bone (xenograft) – Typically sourced from bovine bone.
- Synthetic bone (alloplast) – Biocompatible material designed to stimulate new bone growth.
Over several months, your body naturally integrates the graft material, creating new, healthy bone. Once healed, your jaw will be strong enough to support dental implants or other restorations.
Who Needs Bone Grafting?
You may need a bone graft if you have:
- Insufficient bone for dental implants
- Bone loss due to periodontal disease
- Jawbone deterioration after tooth loss
- Facial changes caused by bone shrinkage
- A history of trauma or congenital defects affecting the jaw
What Is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift (sinus augmentation) is a specialized bone grafting procedure used when there isn’t enough bone in the upper jaw (maxilla) for dental implants. The upper jaw is naturally thinner than the lower jaw, and when teeth are missing in the back of the mouth, the sinus cavity can expand, reducing available bone height.
How Does a Sinus Lift Work?
During a sinus lift, our surgeon gently lifts the sinus membrane and places bone graft material underneath, increasing the thickness of the upper jaw. Over time, the graft integrates with your natural bone, creating a strong, implant-ready foundation.
Who Needs a Sinus Lift?
You may need a sinus lift if you:
- Have lost upper molars or premolars and lack enough bone for implants
- Have naturally thin bone in the sinus region
- Have experienced sinus cavity expansion after tooth loss
- Have had a previous failed implant due to poor bone support
Benefits of Bone Grafting & Sinus Lifts
- Stronger, healthier jawbone – Prevents further bone loss and preserves facial structure.
- Allows for successful dental implant placement – Ensures implants have a stable foundation.
- Improves oral function and aesthetics – Restores your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
- Prevents complications – Reduces the risk of implant failure due to insufficient bone support.
- Long-term oral health investment – Increases the lifespan of dental restorations.
What to Expect During and After the Procedure
Bone grafting and sinus lifts are typically performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation to ensure your comfort. The procedure is minimally invasive, but recovery does require some healing time.
Recovery Timeline
- Mild swelling and discomfort for the first few days (easily managed with pain medication).
- Avoid blowing your nose or sneezing forcefully after a sinus lift to protect the graft.
- Healing and bone integration take 3-6 months before implants can be placed.
- Follow-up visits ensure proper healing and implant readiness.
Ready to restore your smile?
If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone for dental implants, we can help! Contact Gramercy Dental Group today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a stronger, healthier smile.
Ready to restore your smile?
If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone for dental implants, we can help! Contact Gramercy Dental Group today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a stronger, healthier smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bone Grafting Painful?
No! The procedure is performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation, so you won’t feel pain. Mild soreness afterward is normal, but easily managed with medication.
How Long Does It Take to Heal?
Healing varies depending on the size of the graft and your body’s natural bone growth. Most patients fully heal in 3-6 months, after which implants can be placed.
Can I Get a Bone Graft and Implant at the Same Time?
In some cases, yes! If the bone loss is minor, we can place the implant immediately. However, for larger grafts, a separate healing period is needed before implant placement.
How Do I Know if I Need a Sinus Lift?
A 3D cone beam CT scan (CBCT) helps us assess your bone height and sinus position, allowing us to determine if a sinus lift is necessary.
Are Bone Grafts and Sinus Lifts Worth It?
Absolutely! These procedures increase the success rate of dental implants and prevent long-term complications, making them a smart investment in your oral health.