Bone grafting for dental implants
An implant needs enough bone around it. When the bone is too thin or low, it can be built up with a bone graft, or the sinus floor can be lifted, before or during implant surgery. At Kitcha Dental Clinic, the need for grafting is checked on a 3D CBCT scan.
- Open every day, 09:00–20:00
- Opposite Chiang Mai Gate
- Coordinators in English and Thai
When a bone graft may be needed
- A tooth was removed some time ago and the bone has shrunk.
- Gum disease has caused bone loss around the area.
- An upper back tooth sits close to the sinus, leaving little bone height.
- An implant is planned right after an extraction and the socket needs filling.
A graft is not always needed. Your dentist decides from the CBCT scan and explains how it changes your plan and timeline.
Types of bone grafting
Graft at the time of implant surgery
For small amounts of missing bone, graft material is added around the implant during the same surgery.
Ridge augmentation before implants
For larger defects, bone is built up first and allowed to heal before the implant is placed.
Sinus lift
For upper back teeth, the sinus floor is gently lifted and bone material placed beneath it to gain height.
Graft materials used at the clinic include Bio-Oss, Bio-Gide, Maxgraft, xenograft, LifeNet and Dentium; a membrane is often placed over the graft to protect it while it heals.
Have you been told you need a bone graft?
Send a recent CBCT or X-ray if you have one. Your dentist explains whether grafting is needed, how it would be done and how it affects the timeline.
What happens, and how many visits
Assessment and CBCT
Your medical history is taken and a CBCT scan shows how much bone there is and where.
Grafting
Under local anesthesia, the gum is opened, the graft material and often a membrane are placed, and the gum is closed with stitches.
Check visit
About 7 days later, the healing is checked and stitches are removed when appropriate.
Healing before the implant
When the graft is done before the implant, the bone usually needs several months to mature; your dentist checks it again before placing the implant.
Avoid biting on hard food over the graft while it heals, and take medicines as your dentist prescribes. Most people can travel 2–3 days after implant surgery; your dentist confirms this for your case.
Cost of bone grafting
Bone grafting and sinus lift are charged separately from the implant package, only if you need them. The fee depends on the procedure and the amount of graft material and membrane used. Your dentist includes it in your written estimate after the CBCT scan.
Prices on our prices page are shown as ranges. Your final fee depends on what the examination finds, and may include additional items — such as a rubber dam or special materials — when your treatment needs them. Your dentist explains these before treatment.
Who treats you
Bone grafting is planned and carried out by dentists with postgraduate training in implant dentistry, periodontics and oral surgery.
Bone graft FAQs
Do I need a bone graft for a dental implant?
Only when there is not enough bone. It is more likely when a tooth was removed long ago, after gum disease, or for upper back teeth near the sinus. Your dentist decides from the CBCT scan.
Does a bone graft hurt?
It is done under local anesthesia. Afterwards the area may feel sore and swollen for a few days, and your dentist advises on pain relief and care.
How long does a bone graft take to heal?
The gum heals in a couple of weeks. When the graft is done before the implant, the bone usually needs several months to mature, and your dentist checks it before placing the implant. A small graft placed with the implant heals during the normal implant healing time.
What is a sinus lift?
For upper back teeth, the sinus can leave too little bone height for an implant. The sinus floor is gently lifted and bone material placed beneath it, sometimes at the same time as the implant.
What materials do you use?
Graft materials used at the clinic include Bio-Oss, Bio-Gide, Maxgraft, xenograft, LifeNet and Dentium. Your dentist explains which material suits your case.
How much does a bone graft cost?
It is charged separately from the implant package, only if you need it, and depends on the procedure and materials used. Your dentist includes it in your written estimate after the CBCT scan.
Ready to plan your implant?
Send us your question, a recent X-ray or a photo, and a coordinator will reply in English or Thai. Open every day, 09:00–20:00 (Thailand time).
Or email us at [email protected]
Content reviewed by Dr. Pawak Tungthangthum — DDS, Chiang Mai University; Master's Degree in Esthetic Restorative and Implant Dentistry (International Program), Chulalongkorn University · Last reviewed