Bone Grafting in Old Street, City Road & Enfield

Rebuilding Jaw Bone to Support Further Treatment

Bone grafting is a routine procedure used in dentistry to build up bone volume in the jaw, most commonly to create a suitable foundation for a dental implant. It’s typically a minor, well-established procedure rather than major surgery, and is often carried out alongside other treatment, such as tooth extraction or implant placement.

At Dental Arts Studio in City Road and Enfield, London, our dentists assess your jawbone carefully, usually with X-rays or a CT scan, to confirm whether bone grafting is needed as part of your treatment plan.

Been Advised You May Need Bone Grafting?

0207 250 3536 (City Road) | 0208 362 3110 (Enfield)

What Is Dental Bone Grafting?

In dentistry, bone grafting involves adding grafting material to an area of the jaw where bone volume or density is insufficient, to encourage your own bone to grow and strengthen the area over time. This is different from the bone grafting used to treat significant fractures or major trauma elsewhere in the body; in a dental setting, it’s most often a planned, minor procedure to prepare the jaw for further treatment.

Bone grafting is commonly used to:

Build up bone volume before a dental implant, where the jawbone has reduced due to previous tooth loss
Preserve the shape of the jaw (ridge preservation) at the time a tooth is removed
Address bone loss caused by gum disease, often alongside periodontal treatment
Increase bone height in the upper jaw near the sinuses (a sinus lift), where implants are planned in this area

Whether bone grafting is needed, and what type, depends on the amount of bone currently present and what further treatment is planned. Your dentist will assess this using X-rays or a CT scan.

Who May Need Bone Grafting?

You may be advised to consider bone grafting if you:

Are being assessed for a dental implant and don’t currently have enough bone to support it
Have lost bone in the jaw following previous tooth loss or extraction
Have bone loss linked to gum disease that’s being addressed as part of a wider treatment plan
Are having a tooth removed and want to help preserve the bone in that area for possible future treatment

Your dentist will confirm whether bone grafting is necessary for your specific situation, and will explain how it fits into your overall treatment plan.

Types of Bone Grafting We Offer

Socket preservation

Carried out at the same time as a tooth extraction, this involves placing grafting material into the empty socket to help minimise bone loss and maintain the shape of the jaw, which can be useful if an implant is being considered later.

Ridge augmentation

Used to build up the width or height of the jawbone where it has narrowed or reduced over time, creating a more suitable foundation for a dental implant.

Sinus lift

A specific technique used in the upper back jaw, where the sinus floor is gently lifted to create additional space for bone grafting material, allowing an implant to be placed securely in this area.

Your dentist will recommend the type of grafting most suitable for your case, based on your X-rays or scan and your overall treatment plan.

Before Your Bone Grafting Treatment

Assessment

Your dentist examines the area and typically uses X-rays or a CT scan to assess the amount of bone present and plan the grafting procedure.

Discussing your treatment plan

Your dentist explains why bone grafting is recommended, what type is most suitable, and how it fits into your wider treatment, such as a planned dental implant.

Treatment planning

You’ll be given clear information about the procedure, the expected healing time, and the estimated cost before treatment begins.

The Bone Grafting Process

Step 1: Local anaesthetic

The area is numbed to help keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.

Step 2: Accessing the bone

A small opening is made in the gum, or the extraction socket is used directly, to access the area needing grafting.

Step 3: Placing the graft material

Grafting material, often processed bone minerals, is placed in the area. Over time, your own bone cells grow around this material, gradually building new, natural bone.

Step 4: Closing the site

The gum is closed with stitches to protect the graft while it heals.

Step 5: Healing period

New bone forms gradually over the following months, and your dentist will monitor healing before proceeding with any further planned treatment, such as an implant.

Benefits of Bone Grafting

For suitable patients, bone grafting may help:

Create a suitable foundation for a dental implant where bone volume is currently insufficient
Help preserve the shape of the jaw after a tooth is removed
Support the long-term stability of an implant placed in the grafted area
Address bone loss linked to gum disease as part of a wider treatment plan

As with any regenerative procedure, healing and outcomes vary between individuals, and your dentist can discuss what’s realistically achievable for your case.

Cost of Bone Grafting

The cost of bone grafting depends on the extent of the area being treated and the type of grafting needed, such as ridge augmentation or a sinus lift.

Treatment fees

We provide clear costs before any treatment begins, so you can make an informed decision without pressure.

Payment and finance

[Finance options](https://www.dentalartsstudio.co.uk/dental-finance/) may be available to help spread the cost of treatment — please ask our team for details.

Want to Discuss Your Treatment Plan?

0207 250 3536 | 0208 362 3110

Caring for the Area After Treatment

Following this guidance supports healing and the success of the graft.

Keep the area clean — Gentle rinsing with warm salt water, as advised by your dentist, helps keep the area clean while it heals.
Avoid disturbing the site — Refrain from touching, prodding, or chewing directly on the treated area.
Manage discomfort — Some swelling or mild discomfort is common for a few days and can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
Avoid smoking where possible — Smoking can affect healing and the success of the graft.
Attend your follow-up appointments — Regular review allows your dentist to monitor healing before moving on to any further treatment.
Contact us if you notice a problem — Ongoing pain, swelling, or bleeding should be checked rather than left.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I need bone grafting?

Bone grafting is most often needed to build up bone before a dental implant, where the jaw doesn’t currently have enough bone volume to support it. It’s also used to help preserve bone shape after a tooth extraction or to address bone loss from gum disease.

Is bone grafting a major operation?

No, in a dental context, bone grafting is generally a minor, well-established procedure carried out under local anaesthetic, often at the same time as another treatment such as an extraction or implant placement.

Does bone grafting hurt?

The area is numbed with local anaesthetic during the procedure. Some swelling or mild discomfort afterwards is common and can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relief, as advised by your dentist.

How long does it take for the bone to heal?

This varies depending on the type and extent of grafting, but generally takes several months for new bone to form and mature. Your dentist will monitor healing before proceeding with any further treatment.

Will I need bone grafting before every dental implant?

No, only where an assessment shows there isn’t enough bone volume to support an implant securely. Many patients have sufficient bone and don’t need grafting beforehand.

How much does bone grafting cost?

Costs depend on the type and extent of grafting needed. We provide clear costs before any treatment begins so you know what to expect.

What happens after the bone graft heals?

Once your dentist confirms the area has healed and developed sufficient bone, you can typically proceed with any further planned treatment, such as having a dental implant placed.

Want to Discuss Your Treatment Options? Book a Consultation

If you’ve been advised that bone grafting may be part of your treatment plan, or you’re exploring options such as dental implants, our team is happy to talk you through what’s involved.

Alongside standard private dentist appointments, we offer weekend, Saturday, and late night availability for patients in Enfield, and support corporate dental care and lunchtime dental checkups for those visiting us from City Road and Old Street, with same-day appointments where possible.

Speak to Our Team