In a small number of patients, dental implants are not possible due to the low amount of suitable jawbone available for the dental implant to be placed into. This is solved with a process called a “sinus lift” or “bone graft”.
Possibly you’ve suffered from extensive periodontal disease, an ill fitting denture or tooth loss, and we find that the jawbone ( the upper back jawbone is especially susceptible) is too thin or short for the placement of dental implants.
Bone grafts in the mouth provide a proven way of increasing the bone around the teeth. If this is your case, during the free consultation and x-rays you can discuss the bone graft treatment process and the possible alternatives with your dental implant specialist abroad.
In some cases, especially with smaller bone graft work, and where there is no infection present, dental implants can be placed at the same time that the bone graft or tooth extraction takes place. In all other cases, the waiting time for the bone to heal before further dental work can take place is around 12 weeks.
For minor bone irregularities, guided tissue regeneration may be used. This involves the use of a membrane as a barrier to isolate the area where bone is required. The barrier prevents other cells from growing in and enables the bone cells to form new bone. This technique may be used with an implant, a bone graft or by itself.
The bone graft / sinus lift procedure is quite a painless procedure. It is done in most cases under local anaesthetic – the same as all other dental procedures done in our clinic, and takes usually 30min – 1hr.
General anaesthetic is also available if you prefer to be asleep during the bone graft procedure, and it costs £300-£680 depending on the length of time of the dental treatment involved.
Sinus lifts have become common over the past 15 years, and artificial bone-graft material is used more commonly than bone.
Major cost savings can be made simply by having your bone graft or sinus lift done abroad in our dental clinic. Click on the button below and fill in your details for more information about having a bone graft for dental implants abroad.