Bone graft and sinus lift: what to expect and aftercare

What is a dental bone graft?

Cleveland Clinic says a dental bone graft is an oral surgery that adds bone material to the jaw to increase its volume and density. The graft acts as a scaffold that lets your own bone regrow. Providers often use it before dental implants, or when bone loss affects oral health. Grafts can fill an empty socket after an extraction, widen or build up the jawbone, support implants or dentures, repair trauma damage, stabilize loose teeth and treat bone loss from gum disease.

What is a bone graft made of?

Cleveland Clinic lists four sources. Allograft is human bone from a licensed donor bank. Alloplast is a lab-made substitute, such as hydroxyapatite. Autogenous bone is your own, taken from another part of your body. Xenograft is animal-derived bone from a licensed donor bank, commonly from cows or pigs. Platelet-rich plasma, made from your own blood, may be added. The protective membrane laid over the graft is also sourced from a tissue bank, and Cleveland Clinic says some membranes dissolve on their own while others must be removed at a follow-up visit.

What is a sinus lift?

Healthline says a sinus lift lifts the maxillary sinus to make room for graft material so a dental implant has enough bone to anchor. It is also called sinus augmentation or a sinus graft, and periodontists and oral surgeons typically perform it. Cleveland Clinic says a sinus lift is one type of bone graft, which raises the sinus floor and is sometimes needed before implants. Healthline says it is usually recommended when there is little bone height in the back of the upper jaw, with causes including thin jawbone, gum disease and bone thinning after tooth loss.

What happens during the procedure?

Cleveland Clinic says the area is numbed with local anesthetic, and sedation is an option if you prefer to be put to sleep. The provider makes an incision, moves the gums aside, cleans the site, places the graft material, covers it with a membrane, repositions the gums and closes with stitches. Healthline describes a sinus lift similarly: a gum incision, a small section of bone cut while the sinus membrane is protected, lifted, graft material placed, and the gums closed with stitches.

Does a bone graft hurt?

Cleveland Clinic says the procedure is considered relatively minor and most people report little to no pain when they follow medication and aftercare instructions. Healthline's sinus lift page does not describe pain levels. Our guide on whether bone grafting is painful covers this in more detail, and pain scores from practice blogs are not cited.

How long does a bone graft take to heal?

Cleveland Clinic says initial recovery takes about a week, the graft itself needs at least three months to heal, and a large graft may take nine to 12 months. Expected side effects such as tenderness, swelling and bruising should resolve within one to two weeks. Healthline says that, for a sinus lift, swelling and bleeding usually last a few days, a follow-up is about a week after surgery, and jawbone healing before implant placement can take 4 to 12 months, though implants are sometimes placed right away.

When can you eat and drink after a bone graft?

Cleveland Clinic says to eat soft foods for a few days, avoid alcohol for at least two weeks, avoid exercise or heavy lifting for 48 hours, avoid vigorous spitting or swishing, and avoid smoking or vaping. It does not say when you can eat solid food, so ask your surgeon. Healthline's sinus lift page gives no specific eating guidance and says not to use a straw or smoke, and to avoid blowing your nose or sneezing forcefully, which can shift the graft.

What if graft material comes out?

Cleveland Clinic says small, grain-like fragments may come out in the first few days, which is usually normal, but to report a large amount to your provider. Neither source describes how to tell that a whole graft has failed, or what to do if a membrane is exposed, beyond saying that some membranes must be removed at a visit. Call your surgeon if you see a membrane, a large amount of material, pus or increasing pain.

What are the risks?

Cleveland Clinic lists anesthesia complications, infection, nerve damage and severe bleeding, and says graft failure is possible, especially in people who smoke or have certain medical conditions. Healthline says the most common sinus lift complication is a tear in the sinus membrane, which can raise the risk of sinusitis or sinus infection; the surgeon will try to repair it or stop the procedure.

Questions to ask your surgeon

Take these to your consultation.

• Do I need a graft or a sinus lift before implants?
• What material will you use?
• How long will healing take before the implant?
• What should I do if graft material comes out?
• What should I avoid, and for how long?

Guides in this topic

Frequently asked questions