Bone grafting · Gangnam, Seoul

Bone Grafting in Seoul

When bone is too thin or low for an implant, grafting rebuilds it. Our oral surgeons and periodontists plan each graft on 3D CT, often with the implant in the same visit.

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  • Since 2002
  • 13 dentists
  • In-house lab
  • EN · 中文 · 日本語
Dr. Kim Jin-hwan, Chief Director, with his appointment as Vice President of the Korean Academy of Stomatognathic Function and Occlusion
Dr. Kim Jin-hwan — Chief Director Vice President, Korean Academy of Stomatognathic Function & Occlusion

Do I need a bone graft before a dental implant?

You need a bone graft if your jawbone is too thin, too short or too close to the sinus to hold an implant securely. This is common after long-term tooth loss or gum disease. Gangnam One Day Dental Clinic measures bone on a 3D CT scan and, in selected cases, places the graft and implant in the same appointment.

Reviewed by Dr. Kim Jin-hwan , Chief Director · Updated October 5, 2026

Four types of bone graft we use

The type of graft depends on where bone is missing and how much. Your 3D CT shows bone height and width to a fraction of a millimetre, so the plan is based on measurement rather than estimation.

  • Socket preservation: graft material placed right after an extraction to limit bone shrinkage.
  • Guided bone regeneration (GBR): graft plus a membrane to rebuild small defects, often at implant placement.
  • Ridge augmentation: rebuilds a narrow or low jaw ridge before implants.
  • Sinus lift: lifts the sinus floor in the upper back jaw to add height for implants.

Who performs bone grafting

Gangnam One Day Dental Clinic has dedicated oral and maxillofacial surgery and periodontics departments. Oral surgeons Eom In-woong, Noh Kyu-sik and Oh Tae-kyung and periodontists Lee Seung-beom and Lee Dong-won work with Chief Director Dr. Kim Jin-hwan on implant cases that need grafting.

IV sleep sedation is available, which many patients choose for sinus lifts or larger grafts.

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Graft and implant together, or staged?

If enough bone remains to hold the implant firmly, the graft and implant can be placed in one surgery. This saves a trip, which matters for the 60% of our implant patients who travel from outside Seoul.

If bone loss is severe, the graft is placed first and allowed to mature for several months before the implant. Costs for both approaches are outlined in our implant cost guide.

Simultaneous vs staged bone grafting
Graft + implant same day Staged graft
Suitable when Small to moderate bone loss Severe bone loss
Surgeries 1 2
Total time to final tooth Usually 3–6 months Usually 6–12 months
Trips to Seoul Usually 2 Usually 3
Typical graft types Socket preservation, GBR, some sinus lifts Ridge augmentation, large sinus lifts
Step by step

How it works at Oneday Dental

  1. Before travel

    Send your X-ray

    Share X-rays or a CT on WhatsApp. We indicate whether grafting is likely.

  2. Day 1

    3D CT assessment

    We measure bone height and width and decide between same-day or staged grafting.

  3. Day 1–2

    Graft surgery

    Graft placed under local anaesthesia or IV sleep sedation, with the implant if bone allows.

  4. 3–6 months

    Bone maturation

    New bone forms around the graft. Large grafts can take longer.

  5. Final visit

    Implant or crown

    The implant is placed, or the final crown fitted if the implant went in with the graft.

Things to know before you decide

  • Swelling and bruising are common for several days, especially after a sinus lift.
  • Smokers have a higher risk of graft failure; stopping before and after surgery is advised.
  • Active gum infection must be treated first.
  • Avoid flying and nose blowing for about 1–2 weeks after a sinus lift unless your surgeon clears it.
Why patients trust Oneday Dental

Experience you can check

  • 2002
    Founded in Gangnam — 24 years
  • 13
    Dentists in 5 departments
  • 3
    Clinic buildings, 1,570 m²
  • 0.01 mm
    T-Scan bite-force detail
Medically reviewed Dr. Kim Jin-hwan — Chief Director

Vice President, Korean Academy of Stomatognathic Function & Occlusion · author on T-Scan implant occlusion (IGI Global)

Meet the team
FAQ

Bone Grafting: common questions

Is bone grafting painful?
The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, with IV sleep sedation available. Afterwards, most patients report soreness and swelling for 3–7 days, controlled with standard pain relief. Larger grafts and sinus lifts tend to cause more swelling than socket preservation.
What material is used for bone grafts?
Common materials include synthetic bone substitutes, processed donor or animal-derived bone, and sometimes your own bone. They act as a scaffold that your body replaces with new bone over months. Your surgeon recommends the material based on defect size and location.
Can I fly home after a bone graft?
After most lower-jaw grafts, flying is usually fine within a few days. After a sinus lift, surgeons typically advise waiting about 1–2 weeks because cabin pressure changes affect the sinus. Your surgeon confirms your flight date.
How much does bone grafting cost in Seoul?
Cost depends on the amount of bone missing, the grafting technique, the graft material and the location, for example a sinus lift versus socket preservation. Send your X-ray or CT on WhatsApp and we will reply with an estimate after reviewing it; the final price is confirmed after examination.
What happens if I skip a needed bone graft?
An implant placed in too little bone may not stabilise, may expose threads through the gum, or may fail early. In the upper back jaw it can risk the sinus. Grafting creates enough bone for the implant to last.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Kim Jin-hwan , Chief Director Last updated: This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Results vary; all dental procedures carry risks that your dentist explains before treatment.