Bone Grafting and Sinus Lifts

Bone changes shape after a tooth is lost, and the longer a gap has been there the more the ridge tends to narrow. Where there is not enough bone to hold an implant, a graft builds the site first, then has to mature before placement. In the upper back jaw the limiting factor is often the sinus floor sitting low over the ridge, and a sinus lift is the procedure that addresses that.

This is where quotes commonly diverge after the fact, because grafting is frequently not visible until the scan is read. If you are comparing offices, ask each of them directly what happens to the plan and the figure if a graft turns out to be needed, and ask whether their current number assumes one or not. Ask to see the scan and have it pointed out to you. You are allowed to ask why a step is being recommended, and to hear the answer in plain language.

What this usually involves

• Often identified only once imaging is read
• Adds a maturing period before an implant can be placed
• Sinus lift where the sinus floor sits low over the upper back jaw
• Ask whether the quote you were given assumes grafting or not
• Ask to be shown the scan and told why the step is recommended

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