Jawbone resorbs where there are no teeth, and at the back of the upper jaw the sinus “drops” and leaves thin bone. When there is not enough volume for an implant there are two routes: build bone (bone graft, sinus lift) or bypass the problem (tilted implants as in All-on-4, short or narrow implants). The choice depends on what is missing, where, and what is planned to be built on the implants.
The procedures
Closed sinus lift
Through the implant site, when 2–4 mm are missing. Usually at the same visit as the implant. Healing like a regular implant.
Open sinus lift
Through a lateral window, when a lot of bone is missing. Implants sometimes at the same visit, sometimes after 6 months.
Socket preservation
Filling the socket with bone material right after extraction, so the bone does not resorb before the implant.
Ridge augmentation / bone block
When the bone is too narrow for an implant. Adding width with bone material or the patient’s own bone.
Build or bypass?
As a rule, when a large bone graft can be avoided without compromising the result, we prefer to bypass: fewer surgeries, less time, less risk. That is why the All-on-4 protocol exists. But for a single implant in an aesthetic zone, or when bypassing would compromise the crown position, we build bone. The decision is made on the CT, not in general.
What it does to the timeline
| Procedure | Added time to implant / crown |
|---|---|
| Closed sinus lift | Usually none — same visit |
| Socket preservation | 3–4 months until the implant |
| Open sinus lift with implants | 6–9 months until the crown |
| Open sinus lift, implants in a second stage | 9–12 months until the crown |
Frequently asked questions
How long does an implant last?
A well-integrated, well-maintained implant — decades, sometimes a lifetime. The crown on it may be replaced after 10–20 years. The causes of failure are known: smoking, poor hygiene, untreated gum disease.
What is a surgical guide?
A clear device printed from the digital plan and seated in the mouth during placement. It has sleeves that steer the drill and the implant to the planned position, angle and depth. The result: precision, a small incision, fast recovery.
Can an implant be placed right after an extraction?
In suitable cases — yes, at the same visit. The conditions: a socket without active infection and enough bone to anchor the implant. It saves a surgery and preserves bone and gum.
Which implants do you use?
Titanium implants from established manufacturers with long-term clinical documentation and parts available for years to come. The specific system is chosen per case and recorded on the implant passport you receive.
Do I need an MRI or a special CT?
A dental CT (CBCT) — low radiation, a few minutes at an imaging centre; we give the referral and read the result at the consultation. The clinics do not take CT scans. If you have a recent CT of the jaws, bring it; a new one may not be needed.
Can you feel the implant?
No. It has no nerves and it is inside the bone. What you feel at first is the crown — slightly different from the tooth that was there — and after two weeks you forget that too. Our patients cannot say which tooth is the implant without looking.
Can I have an MRI with implants?
Yes. Titanium is not magnetic. Tell the technician you have dental implants, they note it, and that is all. You do not beep at the airport either.
Why not a bridge on the teeth instead of an implant?
Because for a bridge two healthy teeth next to the gap get ground down, and in ten years you have three problems instead of one. An implant does not touch the neighbours. A bridge still makes sense when the neighbouring teeth need crowns anyway, or when there is no bone and you do not want to build it.
What is an “implant passport”?
A card you get at the end of treatment with the manufacturer, model, diameter and length of every implant and where it sits. If in 15 years another dentist in another city needs to replace a screw, they know what to order. Keep it with your important documents.
Want to know if immediate loading is right for you?
A first consultation at any network clinic includes an exam, a reading of your scan and an explanation of the options — no obligation.