Key guidance to read first

Advanced bone grafting at a glance

What is this treatment?
Surgery to reconstruct the width and height of collapsed jawbone to create a foundation for implants. Grafting and fixation methods and required waiting periods vary depending on defect type.
What concerns are addressed?
Another clinic told me 'there is no bone so implants are difficult.' I was told the inferior nerve is too close so surgery is difficult.
What precautions are there?
Postoperative pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, sensory changes, and failure of osseointegration may occur. Bone grafting or sinus surgery carries risks such as graft exposure or mucosal perforation, and varies by individual condition.

Related clinician: Director Kang Do-wook · Periodontics · Integrated Dental Medicine specialist

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BEFORE YOUR VISIT

Preparing for your consultation

A few things to consider before booking.

Tell us during your consultation

  • The affected area, symptoms and when the discomfort began
  • Previous treatment and your main questions now
  • Dates you are available to visit

Helpful items to prepare

  • A list of your medications
  • Previous treatment records or images, if available

Questions to ask

  • Which assessments and treatment choices are relevant to my condition?
  • How can I learn about precautions, costs and appointment schedules for each option?
Contact the clinic

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The Good Morning Dental Clinic 02-969-3776

Read the related guidance
01 / YOUR CONCERNS

Do you have these concerns?

Another clinic told me 'there is no bone so implants are difficult.'
I was told the inferior nerve is too close so surgery is difficult
I was told periodontal disease caused severe alveolar bone loss.
I’m worried implants will be loose because the alveolar bone is thin.
Bone around an implant previously placed has resorbed.
Using dentures for a long time made the gums collapse.
I left an extraction site empty for a long time.
02 / UNDERSTAND YOUR CARE

What is advanced bone grafting?

Surgery to reconstruct the width and height of collapsed jawbone to create a foundation for implants. Grafting and fixation methods and required waiting periods vary depending on defect type.

As much as filling, fixation to prevent movement

Implants are structures fixed in alveolar bone that bear force. Advanced bone grafting does not end with placing graft material into a deficient site. Maintaining the space for new bone to form and fixing the graft so it does not move are important steps.

GBR, ridge augmentation, vertical augmentation

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) secures space for bone regeneration using membranes and can be done simultaneously with placement or beforehand. Ridge augmentation reinforces width and height of the alveolar ridge, and if vertical defects are large vertical augmentation is considered.

Why use membranes and titanium mesh

Barrier membranes protect the grafted space and prevent soft tissue ingrowth. For wide defects or when vertical reconstruction is needed, titanium mesh or reinforcement structures maintain form. Non-absorbable materials may require removal after healing.

We also consider the patient’s own bone and gums

For large defects a small amount of autogenous bone may be harvested and combined with other graft materials. We also check the gum that will cover the graft and the keratinized gingiva needed for hygiene. If ossification is insufficient, additional grafting or schedule changes may be required.

Limits and precautions to know

Postoperative pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, sensory changes, and failure of osseointegration may occur. Bone grafting or sinus surgery carries risks such as graft exposure or mucosal perforation, and varies by individual condition.

03 / THE GOOD MORNING WAY

How The Good Morning provides care

  1. A periodontist assesses bone width, height, and residual bone volume.
  2. Fixation methods such as membranes or titanium mesh are chosen according to defect type.
  3. We evaluate not only bone reconstruction but also the gum covering the graft.
04 / STEP BY STEP

From diagnosis to aftercare: the treatment course.

  1. 01Diagnose bone width, height, and surrounding structures
  2. 02Decide graft material, membrane, and fixation method and perform surgery
  3. 03Wait for healing and confirm ossification via necessary tests
  4. 04Proceed to implant placement or prosthesis stage

Actual sequence and number of visits are adjusted according to test results and recovery.

Consultation tailored to your condition
05 / YOUR QUESTIONS · 12 QUESTIONS

Questions you might have before care.

01I was told there’s no bone — is implant really possible?
Depending on defect form, bone grafting can create a base for implantation. Not possible in all cases; explain methods, timeline and limits after checking remaining bone and systemic condition.
02How long to wait after bone graft?
Months may be needed for graft to mature. Decide next step timing by healing course and necessary tests.
03Do you use my own bone or artificial bone?
Depends on situation. For large defects small amounts of autologous bone from sites like the lower jaw may be harvested and used with graft material. Explain materials after diagnosis.
04What is titanium mesh?
A thin mesh made of titanium. Bent to shape the bone and fixed with screws to prevent graft particles from collapsing or scattering. Used for wide defects or height reconstruction where membranes alone can't maintain shape.
05Does titanium mesh remain in the body permanently?
Often used with later removal after healing. Removal timing is guided by materials used and surgical plan; explain risks like exposure or infection.
06Do barrier membranes need removal later?
Depends on material. Resorbable membranes are absorbed naturally; non-resorbable membranes, titanium mesh and fixation screws are removed after bone formation is confirmed.
07Does bone grafting cause large swelling?
Larger graft areas may cause more swelling. Typically worst on days 2–3 and subsides within a week; manage with cold packs and prescribed medications.
08Can short implants be used instead of bone graft?
Possible in some cases. Decide which is advantageous by evaluating remaining bone amount and shape and chewing forces.
09Should I not smoke?
Smoking affects blood flow and healing at graft sites and is a risk factor. Quitting before and after surgery is recommended and important for long-term maintenance.
10What if bone graft fails?
If ossification is insufficient additional grafting or changing implant timing may be needed. Check for infection or graft exposure and explain next steps.
11What about bone loss around implants placed earlier?
Often possible. Clean exposed implant surface and add bone regeneration to preserve existing implant.
12Can this be done under sedation?
Conscious sedation may help but is not suitable for everyone. Decide after evaluating systemic condition, medications, airway risk and treatment scope; refer to higher-level institutions if needed.

Explore this treatment further

Treatment questions: 12Director’s explanatory videos
Implant

Also see related treatments

Sinus lift · sinus inflammation treatment +Implant re-surgery · re-treatment +Full-mouth implants +Periodontitis +Sedation implants +Dental terms glossary +
Treatment case publication guidance

This information is for general understanding and does not replace clinician diagnosis. Treatment methods, durations, effects, and side effects vary by individual and require sufficient consultation before care.