Bone Grafting for Dental Implants
Been told you don’t have enough bone for dental implants? You may still have options. Dr Ali Matin rebuilds the foundation needed for implants using bone grafting and ridge augmentation — with advanced training from the Urban Institute in Budapest, one of the world’s leading centres for bone regeneration. All performed in-house in the Perth CBD, so you’re not referred elsewhere.
Many patients arrive at Perth Prime Dental after another dentist told them implants weren’t possible. Often, the real issue isn’t whether you can have implants — it’s that the bone needs rebuilding first. That’s exactly what bone grafting does.
What Is a Dental Bone Graft?
A bone graft is a procedure that adds bone material to your jaw to rebuild areas where bone has been lost — creating a strong enough foundation to hold a dental implant.
When a tooth is lost, the jawbone that once supported it is no longer stimulated, so it gradually shrinks away (resorbs) over months and years. Gum disease, infections, injury or long-term denture wear can accelerate this. The result is a ridge that’s too thin or too short for an implant — until it’s rebuilt. Modern bone grafting is predictable and well-established: the grafted material acts as a scaffold that your own body fills in with new, living bone over the following months.
Types of Bone Grafting Dr Matin Performs
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- Socket preservation — placed at the time a tooth is removed, to keep the socket from collapsing and preserve bone for a future implant. The simplest, most preventive option.
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- Ridge augmentation — widens or builds up a jaw ridge that has become too narrow or low for an implant.
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- Block grafting — for significant bone defects, a block of bone is secured to rebuild larger areas.
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- Guided bone regeneration (GBR) — uses a barrier membrane to protect the graft and direct new bone growth where it’s needed.
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- Sinus lift — a specific graft for the upper back jaw; see our dedicated sinus lift page.
Graft materials can be synthetic, donor-derived (allograft), or your own bone (autogenous). Dr Matin’s Urban Institute training guides the choice of the optimal material and technique for your specific anatomy.
Do You Actually Need a Bone Graft?
Not everyone who’s been told “no” needs extensive grafting. Sometimes angled implant placement (as in All-on-4) or Versah osseo-densification — a bone-preserving technique that compresses bone rather than drilling it away — can reduce or avoid the need for a graft altogether.
The only way to know is a 3D CBCT scan, which shows the exact height, width and density of your bone. Dr Matin uses this to tell you honestly what’s needed — no more, no less. This is why a second opinion is so worthwhile if you’ve been turned away elsewhere.
The Bone Grafting Process — What to Expect
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- 3D assessment. A CBCT scan maps your bone precisely and shows exactly where rebuilding is needed.
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- Grafting procedure. Performed under local anaesthesia (sedation options can be discussed). The graft material is placed and protected, and the gum is closed.
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- Healing & integration. New bone forms over the following months — typically 3–9 months depending on the size and type of graft — before it’s ready to support an implant.
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- Implant placement. Once the foundation is solid, the implant is placed. In some cases, grafting and implant placement can be done at the same time — Dr Matin will advise whether that’s possible for you.
How Much Does Bone Grafting Cost in Perth?
Bone grafting is quoted separately and transparently — you’ll never find it hidden inside an implant “package”.
| Procedure | From |
|---|---|
| Socket preservation / minor graft | $500 |
| Major / block graft | $2,000 |
| Larger or combined augmentation | up to $8,000 |
| Sinus lift (crestal) | from $1,000 |
| Sinus lift (lateral window) | from $3,000 |
The exact cost depends on the type and extent of grafting, the material used, and whether it’s combined with implant placement. You receive a fully itemised quote after your 3D scan. Payment plans and superannuation release may help spread the cost. Pricing is a guide only and confirmed in writing after assessment.
Why Choose Dr Matin for Bone Grafting
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- Advanced bone-regeneration training at the Urban Institute, Budapest (founded by Prof. István Urban) — dentists from over 50 countries train there. Few Perth dentists hold this training.
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- Versah osseo-densification certified — a bone-preserving approach that can reduce the grafting some patients need.
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- Complex cases handled in-house. Many practices refer grafting out to an oral surgeon, then refer again for the implant. Here, one dentist does it all — continuity, accountability, and usually lower combined cost.
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- Over 20 years of implant experience and 1,000+ implants placed.
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- Honest second opinions. If grafting isn’t needed, we’ll tell you.
Recovery From Bone Grafting
Recovery is usually straightforward. Expect mild swelling and some discomfort for the first 7–10 days, managed with standard pain relief and (where prescribed) antibiotics. You’ll be given clear aftercare instructions — soft foods, gentle cleaning around the site, and avoiding strenuous activity briefly. The grafted bone then continues to mature quietly over the following months before the implant stage.
Book a Second-Opinion Consultation
If you’ve been told implants aren’t possible, it’s worth a second look with a 3D scan. No obligation, no pressure. Call (08) 9325 4175, book online, or chat with one of our dentists on WhatsApp — real human responses, typically the same day. We’re at 1/58 St Georges Terrace (London Court Practice), Perth CBD WA 6000.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s performed under local anaesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. Afterward, most patients have mild to moderate discomfort for a few days, well managed with simple pain relief. Sedation options can be discussed for anxious patients.
Typically 3–9 months, depending on the size and type of graft. Smaller socket grafts heal faster; larger block or ridge augmentations take longer. Sometimes implant placement happens at the same appointment.
Not necessarily. Bone loss is common and often rebuildable. A 3D scan and a second opinion will tell you what’s genuinely possible. Dr Matin’s training is specifically in regenerating bone for cases others decline.
Options include synthetic graft material, processed donor bone (allograft), or a small amount of your own bone (autogenous). Dr Matin recommends the best option for your situation.
In some cases, yes — it depends on how much bone is needed and the stability that can be achieved. Your 3D scan determines this.
From $500 for a minor/socket graft up to around $8,000 for larger augmentation, quoted separately and itemised. A sinus lift ranges from $1,000 (crestal) to $3,000+ (lateral window).
