Oral & Facial Surgery Institute of Houston
Bone Grafting and Sinus Lift in Houston
Bone grafting is planned for a specific site and goal. At OFSIH, Dr. L.T. Johnson evaluates the amount and location of bone loss, the intended restoration, and your health before recommending a procedure.
Three common grafting situations
Extraction site grafting
After a tooth is removed, a site-specific graft may be placed in the socket to help maintain bone volume for a possible future implant. Whether this is appropriate depends on the site and the overall treatment plan.
Ridge augmentation
A broader jaw ridge defect may need reconstruction after pathology, trauma, or a long period of bone deterioration following tooth loss. The graft design depends on the size and shape of the defect and the planned restoration.
Sinus lift bone grafting
For an upper back tooth implant site, the maxillary sinus may leave too little bone height. A sinus lift raises the sinus lining and places graft material in the planned area. Implant timing depends on anatomy and stability.
Individual implant planning
Not every implant case needs a graft. Examination and imaging help determine whether grafting, a different implant position, another restorative option, or staged treatment is appropriate.
What to expect from an evaluation
- Review the site: Dr. Johnson assesses the tooth or missing-tooth area, bone, adjacent structures, health history, and imaging.
- Coordinate the restoration: At OFSIH, surgical planning can be coordinated with a prosthodontist or the restorative dentist you choose.
- Discuss the procedure: We explain the grafting approach, material options, anesthesia plan, possible risks, and whether implant placement can occur at the same visit or later.
- Follow healing: The team gives procedure-specific instructions and checks healing before the next stage.
Questions patients often ask
Is a socket graft the same as ridge augmentation?
No. A socket graft addresses an extraction site. Ridge augmentation addresses a larger or differently shaped deficiency and may require a different surgical plan.
Will I need a sinus lift?
Not everyone needs a sinus lift. For an implant in the back of the upper jaw, Dr. Johnson generally prefers about 10 mm of bone. If the sinus leaves less bone at that site, a sinus lift can add bone for implant placement. When at least about 5 mm of native bone remains, he may be able to place the implant and perform the sinus lift in the same surgery, provided the implant can be stable. Your examination and CT scan guide that decision.
How long before an implant?
When a graft needs to heal before implant placement, Dr. Johnson generally plans about six months for the upper jaw (maxilla) and about four months for the lower jaw (mandible). These are guidelines, not guarantees. Your health, bone quality, and healing may change the schedule. In selected sinus lift cases, the implant can be placed during the same surgery as the graft.
What are the risks?
Risks can include bleeding, infection, delayed healing, or a graft that does not integrate as planned. Sinus procedures have additional anatomy-specific considerations that Dr. Johnson reviews with you.
Learn more about dental implant planning and your first visit.