Bone augmentation or bone graft is a term that is used to describe a variety of procedures that are used to ‘build’ or ‘add’ bone so that dental implants can be placed. If in the location where the implants are intended there is low mass of bone (width or height) a bone graft must be applied in order to maintain this critical bone mass. If that bone graft is in the upper premolar-molar area of the upper jaw and is meant to increase the height of your upper jaw by filling part of your maxillary sinus, that bone graft is then called a sinus lift.

The dental bone graft procedure usually takes place during implant surgery. It starts with an introducing of local anesthesia into the relevant area. A cut in the gum where implants will be placed is made. When the jawbone is exposed and prepared the bone graft material is then added to the site. The bone graft material comes from different sources like the patients own bone that is taken from the other parts of the mouth or body, synthetic bone or cow bone.

A membrane is then placed and the incision is closed. The bone graft will take about 6 to 12 months to heal before dental implants can be placed