An implant needs bone to hold it. When a tooth has been missing for a while, or gum disease took bone with it, there may not be enough left. Grafting rebuilds the site so an implant becomes possible.
Why bone disappears
Jawbone is maintained by the forces of chewing transmitted through tooth roots. Remove the root and the bone that supported it gradually resorbs. Periodontal disease and long-term denture wear accelerate the same process.
This is why the answer to “can I have an implant” often depends on how long the tooth has been gone.
Sinus lift: the upper back teeth
Above your upper molars is the maxillary sinus, an air space. When those teeth are lost the sinus floor tends to drop, leaving too little bone height for an implant.
A sinus lift raises that floor and places graft material beneath it. There are two approaches – through the implant site itself for smaller gains, or through a small side window for larger ones. Which one applies is measured on your CT scan.
How grafting changes your schedule
This is the part that matters for planning a trip. Grafting adds healing time before the implant can be placed or loaded.
- Minor grafting at the same time as implant placement – often no extra trip.
- Larger grafts – typically 4 to 6 months of healing before or during implant placement, which usually means an extra stage in the schedule.
We tell you which category you are in before you book flights, not after you arrive.
We give you a written treatment plan and a cost estimate before anything begins, so you know the total before you commit. If the plan changes after we see your CT scan, we tell you why and what it changes before we proceed.
Frequently asked questions
Is a sinus lift dangerous?
It is a routine procedure with a defined set of risks, including sinus membrane perforation and post-operative sinus congestion. We go through the specific risks for your anatomy at the consent stage, in English, before you agree to anything.
What material do you use for grafting?
It depends on the site and the volume needed. We tell you which material is planned for your case and why, and it appears in your written treatment plan.
Can I avoid a graft?
Sometimes – shorter implants, angled placement or a different prosthetic design can occasionally work around a deficit. Sometimes not. We will tell you honestly which applies.
Does grafting hurt more than implant placement?
Most patients report more swelling after a larger graft than after a simple implant, usually peaking around day 2 to 3. It is managed with prescribed medication and written aftercare.
Related treatments
Ask us before you travel
Send a recent X-ray or a clear photo and tell us what is bothering you. We will reply in English with what the treatment involves, how many visits it needs, and how long to stay in Korea.
Email Us in English