This can be done before implants are placed and sometimes even be done on the same day of implant insertion. Should you require this procedure, your implant surgeon will give you the options of bone material and discuss with you where natural bone from yourself can be taken. Your own natural bone whilst being the favoured option, there are other options in place so that you can avoid a secondary procedure.
This is usually performed during implant placement. Bone can be added with or without a special membrane in order to maximise natural bony infill. The membrane acts as a scaffold to maintain the shape of a bone that your implant surgeon plans for your final crown. You have the option of using your own bone (autogenous), bone particles which have animal derivatives eg: BioOss or mineral substitutes that are artificial eg: Synthograft. Please do ask your implant surgeon about these various options.
Pyramidal shaped cavities called maxillary sinuses occupy your cheekbones. This also means that these sinuses form the roof of where the roots of your upper back teeth lie. With age or having had multiple extractions before, the floor of the sinus can lie ‘low’, preventing the direct placement of a dental implant. Therefore a sinus lift or sinus graft procedure will need to be performed via a surgical procedure and a bone substitute placed at the same time. Sinus lift surgery is straightforward and is performed within 30-45 minutes for both sides under sterile aseptic conditions.
Should your implant surgeon require a sizeable amount of bone before implant placement, a bone graft may be required. Such bone grafts are usually taken from the back of the lower jaw or from the chin. Rest assured that your facial profile will not be affected by such a procedure. In both cases, a small titanium screw will need to be used in order to firmly attach the graft to the implant site. Such block grafts usually take 6 months to integrate with your own bone. It may be possible for the implant to be placed at the same time as the block graft. This does depend on the patient and your implant surgeon will advise you if this is possible.
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