Treatments
Bone grafting and sinus lifts
Bone grafting rebuilds jaw bone that has shrunk after tooth loss, so that a dental implant can be placed securely. A sinus lift is a type of bone graft for the upper back jaw, where the sinus sits just above the tooth roots. Both are planned using a CT scan taken at our Wimpole Street practice, and they are often done at the same time as implant placement.
Why is bone lost?
When a tooth is lost or removed, the bone that supported it gradually shrinks. Gum disease, long-term denture wear and infections can also reduce bone. If there isn’t enough bone in height or width, an implant can’t be placed safely without rebuilding it first.
Types of bone graft
- Socket graft: bone material placed in the socket when a tooth is removed, to limit shrinkage and keep the site ready for an implant.
- Simultaneous graft: small amounts of bone added around an implant at the time it is placed.
- Block (onlay) graft: a larger graft to rebuild width or height before an implant is placed later.
- Sinus lift (sinus graft): the sinus floor is gently lifted and bone material placed underneath, creating height for implants in the upper back jaw.
There are different grafting materials, each with its own properties. Your dentist will explain which one they recommend for you and why.
How long does it take?
Small grafts done with the implant usually add little or no time. Larger block grafts and sinus lifts usually need four to nine months of healing before the implant can be placed or loaded.
Fees
Grafting fees depend on the type and size of graft, and are given in your written treatment plan after consultation and CT scan (CT scan £225). See our fees page.
Questions patients ask
Is a bone graft painful?
It is done under local anaesthetic. Afterwards, most people have some swelling and soreness for a few days, similar to having a tooth removed.
Do I definitely need a bone graft?
Not always. The CT scan shows how much bone you have. Sometimes a shorter or angled implant, or a different treatment, avoids the need for grafting.
What is the graft material made from?
Options include bone-substitute materials and, less often, your own bone. Your dentist will discuss the choice with you.
Can a sinus lift be done at the same time as the implant?
Often, yes, if there is enough bone to hold the implant steady. If not, the sinus lift is done first and the implant placed after healing.
Results vary from person to person. Every treatment begins with a consultation and a written treatment plan.
Reviewed by Dr David Guy BDS (Wales), MSc Implant Dentistry (Warwick) · GDC No. 81898 · Updated November 2026
Related: Dental implants · Full-arch implants and All-on-4