There are two basic types of bone grafting for dental implants. The most common one is after you have a tooth extracted, or if you lost a tooth awhile back. There could be insufficient bone support in such scenarios and thus a bone graft is needed. (See diagram above.) Dr. Tsai will numb the gum before making an incision to expose the area requiring the graft, or if the tooth was just extracted, then she will gently push the gum back to expose the existing bone. She will then place the graft, anchoring it in place if necessary, before covering it with a membrane and suturing the gum back in place. You will be given instructions on how to care for the bone graft site, and how to keep it clean. Bone grafts generally need to be left to heal for several months, although, if the amount of bone grafted was relatively small, it may be possible to place the implant at the same time.
Once the bone is heal, Dr. Tsai will place the implant, allow that to integrate with the bone, and then restore with an Abutment and Crown.
Other Types of Bone Grafting The other common type of bone graft for dental implants is a Ridge Augmentation, Ridge Enhancement, or Split Ridge. (See the diagram above.) Sometimes, when a patient has lost their tooth many months or years ago, the bone in that area has resorbed (the bone is lost). The remaining bone is too thin to support the dental implant. In such cases, Dr. Tsai would numb the area where the thin wall is, gently pull the gum tissue back, pack or place the bone graft in place, and suture the gum back into place. Sometimes Dr. Tsai will “split” the ridge and pack in the bone graft in order to thicken up the bone for the implant. This procedure typically takes 4-7 months to heal. Once the bone grafting has integrated or is healed, the dental implant can be placed.
What is a Sinus Lift for Dental Implants? A sinus lift procedure is very common, and is also called a sinus augmentation. Its purpose is to add height to the bone in the area between your premolars and molars. The bone is added in between your jaw and your sinuses on either side of your nose. (See the diagram above.) The membrane in your sinus is lifted upwards to make room for the additional bone. The bone is placed and allowed to integrate or heal. This type of graft may be necessary if bone has been lost due to disease, although it can also be necessary due to the anatomy of the skull, as there is often less bone in the upper jaw in comparison with the lower jaw. Most of the time, the sinus lift can be done at the same time as the implant placement, but other times it needs to be performed and then allowed to heal.
Will the Sinus Lift or Bone Graft Hurt? Though some people experience sensitivity or pressure around the extraction site and the implant and sinus lift location, most feel no discomfort at all. We will put you on a precautionary antibiotic and may prescribe you a pain medication to be taken if needed. Those patients who have mentioned some discomfort say it was not nearly as much as when they had a tooth extracted. Usually, this soreness can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications.
1Consultation is for new placement dental implant related treatment only.
Bone Grafts and Sinus Lifts for Dental Implants - Dr. Sherry Tsai provides bone grafts and sinus lifts for dental implants and mini dental implants in Millbrae, San Bruno, Burlingame, San Mateo and the Bay Area