Bone Graft and Sinus Lifting: Solid Foundations for Implants

The lifespan of an implant depends on the quality and volume of the jawbone it's placed in. Jawbone loss can occur after tooth extraction or due to gum disease, and in these cases advanced surgical techniques become necessary.

In bone graft (grafting) treatment, artificial or natural bone particles are placed in areas where bone density has decreased. These particles act as a scaffold, drawing the body's own bone cells to form new bone. The method is used when there isn't enough bone for an implant, sometimes applied at the same time as the implant and sometimes a few months beforehand.

Just above the upper jaw, near the nasal cavities, lie air spaces called the sinuses. After tooth loss, these spaces can sag downward, narrowing the bone available for implants in the upper back region.

In sinus lifting, the sagging sinus membrane is lifted upward and bone graft material is placed into the space created, forming a bone bridge tall enough for an implant to be securely placed in the upper back region.

Because these advanced surgical techniques are performed under local anesthesia, patients feel no pain during the procedure; the recovery process is not much different from a standard tooth extraction, and swelling is minimized with medication and cold compresses.

3D tomography is used to analyze the position of the sinuses and bone density in three dimensions, and biocompatible graft materials are used. Patients previously turned away due to insufficient bone can regain the option of implant treatment through these methods.