As Principal Dentist at tooth in Waterloo, one of my key priorities is ensuring your smile has a healthy, stable foundation. That’s why at tooth we have a team for every eventuality, including a whole team of Specialty and Special Interest Dentists at our tooth specialist dental centre, at 26 Lower Marsh.
To ensure stable foundations, in some cases, that means restoring bone that has been lost over time. At tooth, we often use a procedure called bone grafting to help rebuild bone that supports your teeth or future dental implants.
Why bone grafting may be needed
Bone loss can occur for a number of reasons, such as following a tooth extraction, through gum disease (periodontitis), or natural bone shrinkage over time. When the jawbone becomes too thin or too soft, it may not be able to securely support a dental implant or even maintain the natural structure of your face.
Bone grafting helps to rebuild lost bone, providing the strength and density needed for implant placement and long-term dental health.
What is a bone graft?
A bone graft involves adding new bone material to an area where the bone has become deficient. This bone material may come from your own body, a donor source, or a biocompatible synthetic material designed to encourage your body’s natural bone to regenerate over time (known as synthetic bone).
The process allows your own bone cells to grow and integrate with the graft, creating a solid, stable foundation for future treatment, things like dental implants.
Types of bone grafting:
There are several bone graft techniques depending on the location and amount of bone required.
1. Standard bone graft
This is the most common type of graft, usually performed after a tooth extraction or before an implant placement. The graft material is placed into the affected area, often covered with a protective membrane to help healing.
2. Vertical bone graft
In some cases, bone loss occurs in height rather than width. A vertical bone graft helps to rebuild the height of the jawbone, creating enough vertical space to safely and securely place an implant. This procedure requires precise surgical technique and is often performed by an experienced implant dentist. It is a more time consuming procedure, involves additional specialist equipment and as a result is more costly than a standard bone graft.
At tooth, we have a digital scanning centre also – and our advanced imaging (such as CBCT scans) allows us to accurately plan the graft, ensuring more predictable, longer-lasting results.
How much is bone grafting in London?
At tooth dental care in Waterloo, our prices are always very competitive and we always aim to make them as affordable as can be. At time of writing, our prices for our special bone services are:
Standard Bone Graft £795
Vertical Bone Graft £1500
Sinus Lift £695
Sinus Lift (External) £1250
What is a Sinus lift (internal and external)?
In the upper jaw, particularly at the back near the molars, there may be insufficient bone beneath the sinus cavity to support an implant. This is where a sinus lift comes in.
There are two main types of Sinus lifts:
Internal sinus lift: A less invasive approach used when only a small amount of extra bone height is required. The sinus membrane is gently lifted from within the implant site, and bone graft material is placed beneath it.
External sinus lift: A more extensive procedure for cases with greater bone loss. Access is gained via the side of the sinus wall to create more space for new bone formation.
Both techniques aim to increase the bone height beneath the sinus floor, allowing for secure, successful implant placement.
How long do bone grafts take to heal?
Many people ask about the healing process after a bone graft or sinus lift, but it is quite straightforward and nothing to worry about. The body takes several months to integrate the new bone material and healing times will vary depending on the procedure, but once complete, the grafted area will be strong enough to support a dental implant.
Throughout this process, your treating implantologist will monitor your progress carefully using digital scans and review appointments to ensure everything is healing exactly as it should.
Why choose tooth dental care for bone grafts and sinus lifts in London?
At tooth, our oral surgery and implant team are very experienced and well qualified to deliver advanced bone grafting and implant dentistry. We use state-of-the-art technology, gentle surgical techniques, and premium grafting materials to achieve great outcomes for our patients.
So, whether you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone for an implant, or you’re exploring your options after tooth loss, our expert team will take the time to assess your situation and guide you through your treatment options. If you would like to book to discuss a bone graft or sinus lift in London, there’s no need to delay. Booking is easy, just click on any of the buttons below to get in touch or ask a question and we’ll be happy to help. You can learn more about our implant and oral surgery team here.