When is "not enough bone" a real problem?
Bone shrinks after a tooth is lost — about a quarter of the width in the first year. Many patients are told elsewhere that they cannot have implants. In most cases they can: either with a graft, or by choosing the implant size and position to fit the bone that is there. The decision is made on a CBCT scan, not on a panoramic X-ray.
What does a sinus lift or bone graft cost?
| Procedure | Price | When | Adds to timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed (crestal) sinus lift with implant | 1,900 AED | 6–8 mm bone under the sinus | None |
| Open (lateral) sinus lift | 3,200 AED | Less than 6 mm under the sinus | +6 months |
| Guided bone regeneration, one site | price on request | Narrow ridge | +4 months or with implant |
| Socket preservation after extraction | price on request | Implant planned later | Prevents loss |
| Connective tissue graft (gum) | price on request | Thin gum at front teeth | With implant |
Can bone grafting be avoided?
- Short implants (6–8 mm) where height is limited
- Narrow implants (3.3 mm) where width is limited
- Tilted implants to avoid the sinus — the All-on-4 principle
- Zygomatic implants for extreme upper-jaw loss (assessed case by case)
Read: sinus lift, bone graft and short implants explained
Medically reviewed by Dr. Maria Gerasimova, DHA-licensed oral surgeon and implantologist · Last updated 2026-09-11