Bone Grafting & Sinus Lifts in Tacoma
Bone Grafting & Sinus Lifts in South Tacoma: Building a Foundation for Implants
Benefits:
Bone grafting and sinus lifts allow patients who've been told they lack sufficient bone to still qualify for implants, restoring the foundation needed for a stable, long-lasting restoration. We proudly serve South Tacoma, Graham, Roy, Spanaway, Frederickson, Eatonville, and JBLM families.
What Is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting rebuilds jaw areas that lack enough volume to support an implant, often due to years of tooth loss. Graft material — from your own body, a donor, or synthetic sources — is placed in the deficient area and given 3-6 months to fuse with your existing bone before implants can be placed.
Types of bone grafting we offer:
Socket preservation (after extraction, to prevent socket collapse)
Ridge augmentation (rebuilds width or height)
Block grafting (for larger areas), and particulate grafting (for smaller defects).
What Is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is a specific type of bone grafting used only for the upper back jaw, where implants are often limited by the maxillary sinus rather than general bone loss. The procedure gently lifts the sinus membrane and places bone graft material beneath it, creating enough height for an implant to be placed securely without disturbing the sinus.
Sinus lifts can be performed as a separate procedure before implant placement, or sometimes at the same time as implant surgery, depending on how much bone height is available. Because we perform sinus lifts in-house, you avoid the extra step of a referral to an outside specialist — everything happens under one roof.
The Bone Grafting & Sinus Lift Process
Comprehensive Evaluation
We start with a 3D cone beam CT scan to assess your bone volume and, for upper arch cases, the position of your sinus — determining whether general grafting, a sinus lift, or both are needed.
Treatment Planning
Bone grafting and sinus lifts are typically performed under local anesthesia, with sedation available if needed. Grafting material is placed in the deficient area (or beneath the sinus membrane for a lift), and the site is closed to allow healing.
Healing
Bone grafts generally take 3-6 months to fully integrate before implants can be placed. Sinus lifts may follow a similar timeline, though some cases allow implants to be placed at the same time as the lift if enough bone height already exists.
Implant Placement
Once healing is complete and adequate bone volume is confirmed, your implant treatment moves forward as planned.
Who Needs Bone Grafting?
You've been missing teeth for an extended period and the bone has broken down in that area, or you have gum disease that's affected the bone. A 3D evaluation may also show insufficient width or height for stable implant placement in the front or side of the jaw.
Many patients assume they need extensive treatment — in most cases, grafting is a straightforward step that adds a few months to your timeline, not a barrier to getting implants.
Who Needs a Sinus Lift?
You're missing upper back teeth and your 3D scan shows the sinus sits too close to where an implant would go — common after long-term tooth loss in that area, since the sinus tends to expand downward once the teeth (and their roots) are no longer there.
Many patients assume this means they can't get implants — in most cases, a sinus lift simply adds a step to make treatment possible.
Recovery & Healing
After bone grafting: Mild swelling and discomfort for a few days is normal, managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Stick to soft foods for about a week, avoid disturbing the surgical site, and attend a follow-up visit to confirm healing is on track before implant placement.
After a sinus lift: Avoid blowing your nose, sneezing forcefully, or using straws for about 1-2 weeks, since pressure changes can disrupt healing near the sinus. Some minor swelling or nasal congestion is normal and typically resolves within a week.
Both procedures have high success rates, and most patients return to normal activities within a few days.
Why Choose Davis Dental Group
- Advanced 3D Scanning Technology: Precise imaging for accurate treatment planning.
- Walk-Ins Welcome: Stop by our Tacoma office anytime — no appointment needed.
- Same-Day Consultations: Available when scheduling allows.
- Free Consultations: Expert guidance with no obligation.
- Comprehensive Care in One Location: From consultation to final treatment, all under one roof — no referrals needed
- Experienced Team:Dedicated to your comfort throughout treatment.
Related Services
Dental Implants - Explore all your implant options, from single tooth to full arch solutions.
Wisdom Teeth Removal - Extraction sites sometimes benefit from bone grafting to preserve the jaw for future treatment.
Build the Foundation for Your Implants
Missing bone doesn't have to mean missing out on implants. We perform bone grafting and sinus lifts in-house — no referrals needed. Serving South Tacoma, Graham, Roy, Spanaway, Frederickson, Eatonville, and JBLM families.
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Most PPO insurances accepted.
