At the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston, we offer advanced bone grafting and sinus lift procedures to restore oral health and prepare your jaw for dental implants. These treatments are crucial for patients experiencing bone loss or sinus issues, ensuring a solid foundation for long-term dental success.
Led by Dr. L.T. Johnson, a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with extensive experience and a doctorate in dental surgery, our team is committed to delivering customized care with the most advanced surgical techniques available. Dr. Johnson is also known for his expertise in All-on-4 dental implants, making him uniquely qualified to handle complex bone grafting cases. If you need a bone graft or sinus lift in Houston or Sugar Land, we are here to deliver expert solutions and lasting results.
What is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a procedure that rebuilds or strengthens bone in areas where it has been lost, making it crucial for patients requiring dental implants. When teeth are missing for an extended period, the jawbone may begin to naturally deteriorate or resorb, making it difficult to place dental implants in that area. A shortage or absence of bone can prevent the implant from properly fusing with the jaw, leading to a weak foundation for the tooth crown. If left unaddressed, this can lead to long-term complications and implant failure.
Fortunately, Dr. Johnson offers advanced bone grafting techniques to overcome these issues. During the procedure, we use materials like your own bone (autograft), donor bone (allograft), or synthetics to rebuild the bone and provide a stable foundation for implants. This strengthens the jaw and improves oral health and appearance by preventing further bone loss.
At the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston, our advanced techniques ensure minimal discomfort and a smooth recovery, helping you restore the strength and structure of your jaw.
What is a Sinus Lift with Bone Graft?
A sinus lift, or sinus augmentation, is often needed when there isn't enough bone height in the upper jaw to support dental implants, particularly in the molar and premolar areas. Patients who have experienced bone loss in this area may find it challenging to receive implants, as the implant may not fuse properly with the jawbone or could be too weak to support the tooth crown.
The sinus lift procedure involves lifting the sinus membrane and adding bone graft material to create a stable foundation for implants. In some cases, bone grafting is performed simultaneously with the sinus lift to ensure enough bone for successful implant placement. This process allows for secure implants and helps restore your smile's function and appearance.
Dr. Johnson utilizes these techniques at the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston to ensure safe, effective results, improving both sinus function and dental stability.
Do I Need A Bone Graft?
There are several reasons that you may be missing a tooth, such as a facial trauma incident that has knocked out the tooth or fractured the jaw. The consequences of tooth and jaw bone loss include but are not limited to
- Misalignment, drifting, loosening, and loss of the remaining healthy teeth
- Collapsed facial profile
- Limited lip support
- Skin wrinkling around the mouth
- Distortion of other facial features
- Jaw (temporomandibular joint TMJ) pain, facial pain, and headaches
- Difficulty speaking and communicating
- Inadequate nutrition as a result of the inability to chew properly and painlessly
- Sinus expansion
The rate of deterioration varies greatly among individuals, making it difficult to determine the amount of jaw bone loss an individual has suffered without proper examination by a qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. In general, jaw bone resorption usually begins immediately following the loss or removal of a tooth and worsens as time goes on.
Which Bone Grafting Treatment Is Right For Me?
Socket Preservation
To preserve an empty tooth socket following the loss or extraction of a tooth, you may receive a small oral bone graft to fill the socket. This procedure is simple, safe, and effective, affording you a quick recovery time and continual benefits, such as increased jaw bone health. For several weeks following the socket preservation procedure, the bone graft that was placed in your socket integrates with your natural bone, providing a solid anchor for a replacement dental implant.
Sinus Lift Procedure
You have maxillary sinuses behind your cheeks and on top of your upper teeth, which always remain empty. The bone that separates your mouth from these sinuses is typically very thin, making it difficult to place stable implants into the bone following tooth loss. Fortunately, the surgical team at Oral & Facial Surgery Institute of Houston utilizes a bone grafting technique that solves this problem, called a sinus lift. During the procedure, Dr. Johnson carefully enters the sinus cavity and lifts the sinus membrane. Once he has safely entered this area, our oral surgeon can place a bone graft that will integrate with the jaw bone over several months following the procedure. Once the bone graft has been fully integrated with the jaw bone, dental implants can be placed in a separate surgical visit.
Ridge Expansion
The bone surrounding and supporting the teeth, known as the alveolar ridge bone, can naturally deteriorate or become less dense over time. When this occurs, a special type of bone grafting procedure, known as ridge expansion, can help to strengthen and support the bone. A ridge expansion is a more complex form of bone grafting that involves surgically splitting the bony ridge of the jaw and inserting bone graft material into the new space created by Dr. Johnson. The procedure is designed to widen the jaw to increase the bone width and build a solid anchor for dental implants.
What Type Of Bone Graft Materials Are Used?
A bone graft can be applied to single missing tooth sockets, sinus cavities, and larger areas that contain several missing teeth. The bone graft material can be obtained from a variety of sources, including:
- Autogenous bone grafts that are harvested directly from the patient's body and afford the most predictable outcome following surgery
- Allograft bone grafts that are harvested from a cadaver
- Xenografts that are harvested from a cow bone
- Bone Morphogenetic Protein, BMP, a synthetic bone compound created in a lab
While utilizing your own bone is always the best option, this is not always possible. If the patient's bone can be used, it is often taken from the bone around the third molar in the upper or lower jaw, the chin, the hip, or the tibia. When the patient's bone cannot be used to make the graft, the surgeon will either use a mineral bone substitute or collect the bone from a tissue bank.
What to Expect During Bone Grafting or a Sinus Lift
Your visit typically starts with a consultation and imaging so Dr. Johnson can evaluate bone volume, sinus anatomy, and your overall oral health. If a graft or sinus lift is recommended, we will review the proposed plan, anesthesia options, and post-operative instructions.
On the day of surgery, the graft material is placed in the area that needs added support. For a sinus lift, the sinus membrane is gently elevated and graft material is placed beneath it to create additional height for future implant support. In some situations, implant placement may happen the same day, but many cases require healing first so the graft can integrate.
Healing and Aftercare
Some swelling, mild bleeding, and soreness are common after bone grafting or a sinus lift. Most patients can return to normal routines within a few days, but healing inside the bone takes longer. Dr. Johnson will give you specific instructions based on your procedure.
- Take medications as prescribed and use cold packs during the first day if recommended.
- Choose soft foods at first and avoid hard or crunchy items that can irritate the surgical area.
- Avoid smoking and follow guidance on oral hygiene, including when to resume brushing and rinsing.
- If you had a sinus lift, you may be asked to avoid forceful nose blowing and heavy straining during early healing.
If dental implants are planned, the timing depends on your anatomy and the size of the graft. Many cases require several months of healing before implants are placed, and Dr. Johnson will confirm readiness at follow-up visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is bone grafting needed before dental implants?
Bone grafting may be recommended when there is not enough healthy jawbone to support a dental implant. This can happen after tooth loss, gum disease, infection, trauma, or long-term denture wear. Dr. Johnson confirms this with an exam and imaging and explains whether grafting can improve the foundation for implant placement.
What is a sinus lift, and who may need one?
A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation, adds bone height in the upper jaw when the sinus sits close to the area planned for implants. It is commonly considered for upper back teeth when bone height is limited. Dr. Johnson evaluates your anatomy and determines whether a sinus lift can create the support needed for implants.
What graft materials are commonly used?
Depending on your needs, graft material may come from your own bone, a donor source, an animal-derived source, or a synthetic material. The best option depends on the location and size of the graft, your health history, and the surgical plan. Your team will review the options during your consultation.
Is bone grafting painful?
Most patients feel pressure during the procedure rather than pain because local anesthesia is used, and sedation may be an option for some cases. Afterward, soreness and swelling are common for a few days and are typically managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medications, as directed.
How long does healing take before implants can be placed?
The timeline varies based on the type and extent of grafting and your healing response. Some small grafts may heal more quickly, while larger grafts or sinus lifts often require several months for integration before implants are placed. Dr. Johnson will monitor healing and let you know when you are ready.
What should I avoid during recovery?
Follow your post-operative instructions closely. In general, patients are asked to avoid smoking, vigorous activity early on, and foods that can irritate the surgical site. If you had a sinus lift, you may also be asked to avoid forceful nose blowing and heavy straining during early healing.
What are common risks or complications?
All surgical procedures carry risks. For bone grafting and sinus lifts, possible complications can include infection, bleeding, swelling, delayed healing, graft not integrating as expected, or sinus-related issues in sinus lift cases. Dr. Johnson reviews your individual risk factors during your consultation.
When should I call the office after surgery?
Contact the office if you have worsening pain after the first few days, increasing swelling or redness, fever, foul taste or drainage, or any concerns about bleeding or your stitches. It is always appropriate to call if something does not feel right.
Why Choose Dr. L.T. Johnson For Bone Graft?
Dr. L.T. Johnson is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with years of experience serving the Houston and Sugar Land areas. With advanced training and a doctorate in dental surgery, he is renowned for his expertise in bone grafting and dental implants, especially the All-on-4 treatment, which replaces a full arch of teeth using only four implants.
Dr. Johnson is committed to building trust with his patients, offering personalized, compassionate care tailored to each individual. As the lead surgeon at the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston (OFSIH), he works alongside a skilled team of professionals to ensure every procedure is performed with the highest standards of safety and precision.
Utilizing the latest advancements in oral surgery, Dr. Johnson and his team are dedicated to delivering top-notch care and helping patients restore their oral health with confidence and success.
Restore Your Smile with Expert Care in Houston, TX
If you're in need of bone grafting or a sinus lift with bone graft, don't hesitate to contact the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute of Houston. Our experienced surgeons are ready to help you restore your oral health and improve your quality of life.
Call us today at 281-491-4545 to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, more functional smile.
Schedule a consultation
Call 281-491-4545 to request an appointment in Houston, TX.
Medical review and updates
Medically reviewed by: L.T. Johnson, DDS, Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Last updated: April 2026
Dr. L.T. Johnson is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon serving patients in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Pearland, Angleton, and surrounding communities. His practice focuses on bone grafting and sinus lift procedures, dental implants, All-on-4 treatment, IV sedation, wisdom teeth removal, oral pathology, facial trauma, and corrective jaw surgery.
