ANSWERS

When is a bone graft needed for implants?

A bone graft is needed when the alveolar ridge lacks the volume to anchor an implant: typically less than 6mm of height or 4mm of width on CBCT. Common triggers include extractions older than 3 months, periodontal bone loss, long-term denture wear, and posterior maxilla cases where sinus pneumatization leaves under...

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Why it works this way

The CBCT measurement that drives the decision

The graft call is a volumetric one, made on the CBCT before the surgical guide is designed. The widely cited ITI consensus thresholds are 6mm of vertical bone height and 4mm of buccolingual width as the minimum for a standard 4.1mm diameter implant. Below those numbers, primary stability drops and the case moves into augmentation territory. At Dani Dental we see the CBCT at the planning stage on every guided case, which is where the graft conversation happens, not at delivery.

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How long after a bone graft can the implant be placed?

Standard healing for a socket preservation graft is 3-4 months before implant placement. Larger augmentations, block grafts, GBR with membrane, or sinus lifts, typically need 4-6 months, and major reconstructions can run 6-9 months. The surgeon confirms graft maturation on a follow-up CBCT before the implant guide is designed. At Dani Dental we plan the guide off the post-healing scan to avoid fit issues from residual ridge changes during graft remodeling.

Can an implant be placed at the same time as a bone graft?

Yes, in selected cases. Simultaneous implant placement with guided bone regeneration is documented when at least 4-5mm of native bone is available to achieve primary stability, typically 35Ncm or higher torque. Sinus lifts with simultaneous implants follow the same rule: under 5mm of subantral bone usually pushes to a staged approach. The call is the surgeon's, made on CBCT measurements. The lab plans the prosthetic timeline around whichever protocol the surgeon chooses.

Does the lab need the CBCT before or after grafting?

Both, on different timelines. The pre-graft CBCT is useful for the initial case discussion and prosthetic planning. The post-healing CBCT, taken 4-6 months after grafting, is what we design the surgical guide off of, because ridge dimensions shift during remodeling. Sending us the pre-graft scan early lets us flag any prosthetic constraints, crown-to-implant ratio, emergence profile, occlusal scheme, before the surgeon finalizes the graft plan. Turnaround on planning feedback is 24-48 hours.

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This answer is one piece of a larger workflow. The pillar page covers materials, turnaround, and how we build the case to your specification.

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