Have you been told you don’t have enough bone for a dental implant? You might be dealing with bone loss after a long-missing tooth, advanced gum disease, or changes in your upper jaw that bring the sinus too close to the implant site. In any of these scenarios, you may wonder whether you’re still a candidate for implants or whether it’s too late. These concerns are completely normal, especially if you’re hoping for a long-lasting, natural-looking solution.
This is where the right pretreatment makes all the difference. At MR Dental Aesthetics in Los Angeles, Dr. Mahnaz Rashti, our experienced periodontist with more than 30 years of advanced surgical expertise, provides bone grafts and sinus lifts to rebuild your foundation and make implants a possibility. This article breaks down how these procedures work and what you can expect.
Situations when bone grafts or sinus lifts may be necessary
Tooth loss and bone resorption
When a tooth has been missing for months or years, the jawbone in that area naturally begins to shrink. Without the stimulation that comes from chewing forces, your body assumes the bone is no longer needed. This process, called bone resorption, can reduce the height and width of the jawbone. For an implant to integrate properly, it needs a solid, stable foundation of bone. If too much bone has been lost, a graft is often the first step toward rebuilding that support.
Advanced periodontal disease
Periodontal disease isn’t just a gum problem: it destroys the bone that holds your teeth. When bacteria create chronic inflammation, the supporting bone gradually deteriorates. Even if the infection is successfully treated, you may be left with weakened or insufficient bone volume. In these cases, bone grafting helps restore lost density, so your implant can anchor securely.
Trauma or injury to the jaw
Accidents, fractures, or previous surgical complications can leave the jawbone uneven or thin in certain areas. Trauma-induced bone loss may not always be visible on the surface, but it can compromise the stability of an implant. Rebuilding the area with grafting material helps create uniform bone volume, ensuring the implant can be placed at the correct angle and depth.
Naturally thin or insufficient bone structure
Some individuals simply have thinner jawbone anatomy, especially in the upper jaw, where the bone tapers. Even if you’ve never lost a tooth or had gum disease, insufficient bone height may prevent the implant from staying fully supported. In these cases, bone grafting or a sinus lift provides additional structure so implants can integrate predictably.
Enlarged sinuses or sinus pneumatization
Over time, the maxillary sinuses may expand downward into the upper jaw (this is called sinus pneumatization). If you lose upper back teeth, the bone may shrink faster, leaving little space between the mouth and the sinus cavity. When that space becomes too shallow, a sinus lift can elevate the sinus membrane and create sufficient bone height for implant placement.
How bone grafts and sinus lifts work for implants
Bone grafts
A bone graft builds or restores the bone in an area where volume has been lost. During this procedure, grafting material from a donor source, synthetic materials, or other biocompatible options is placed into the jawbone. The purpose of the graft isn’t to replace your bone; instead, it serves as a scaffold that encourages your body to produce new, healthy bone.
Over the healing period, your natural bone gradually integrates with the graft. As it strengthens and regenerates, the grafting material is absorbed, leaving behind a dense, stable bone structure capable of supporting an implant. Many bone grafts are minor procedures. In some cases, Dr. Rashti can place the implant and graft during the same appointment. In others, you may need to allow a healing period before implant placement to ensure the site is fully ready.
Sinus lifts
A sinus lift is performed when the upper jaw does not have enough bone height to support implants, often due to sinus expansion or bone resorption. A small opening is created in the side of the upper jawbone to access the sinus cavity. The sinus membrane is then carefully elevated, creating space for bone graft material.
This added bone increases the vertical height of the upper jaw, ensuring that the future implant has adequate support and won’t penetrate the sinus cavity. After the graft is placed, the area needs time to heal and generate new bone. Once the site has stabilized, implants can be safely and securely positioned. Because the upper jawbone is typically softer, this preparatory step significantly increases the success rate of implants in the back of the mouth.
A stronger foundation for long-lasting implants
Bone grafts and sinus lifts can help rebuild bone where it’s missing or insufficient, allowing you to receive implants that are stable, durable, and natural-looking. At MR Dental Aesthetics in Los Angeles, Dr. Rashti performs these procedures with precision, ensuring you have the strongest possible foundation for a restored smile. Please schedule a consultation to determine if you need a bone graft or sinus lift to prepare for an implant and explore your options.
