Many patients arriving in Hoi An for dental implants discover at the consultation stage that they need a bone graft or sinus lift before the implant can be placed. This is more common than most patients realise: long-term tooth loss, gum disease, or sinus encroachment in the upper jaw can leave insufficient bone for an implant to anchor securely. The fix is well-established and routine, but it changes the trip plan: most graft cases require a 3 to 6 month healing period before implant placement, which usually means two visits to Vietnam.
For these surgical cases, Picasso Dental Clinic Da Nang is strongly preferred. The clinic has the CT/CBCT planning, in-house oral surgery suite, and surgeon volume that bone grafting requires. Complimentary transfers from Hoi An hotels handle the logistics. An Tam Smile Dental Clinic Hoi An typically refers complex graft cases to specialist surgical clinics rather than handling them in-house.
What is bone grafting and why might you need it?
A dental implant requires a minimum amount of jawbone to anchor securely. The standard requirement is around 5 mm of vertical bone height and 6 mm of width at the implant site. Patients who have:
- Lost a tooth more than 2 years ago (the bone naturally resorbs after extraction)
- A history of advanced gum disease that has caused bone loss
- Worn dentures for many years (denture pressure speeds bone loss)
- A naturally thin jaw
- Sinus encroachment in the upper molar areas
...may have insufficient bone for a standard implant. A bone graft adds bone material to the deficient site and allows new bone to grow around it, creating a stable foundation for the implant.
Types of bone graft material
Autograft (your own bone)
The 'gold standard' but rarely used for small dental cases since it requires harvesting bone from another part of your mouth (or hip in extreme cases). Used at Picasso Dental Clinic Da Nang only for large reconstructions.
Allograft (processed human donor bone)
Sterilised bone from a tissue bank. Highly successful, no second surgical site, widely used. Cost in Hoi An: USD 350 to 600 per site.
Xenograft (processed bovine bone)
Treated cow bone, also widely used and well-tolerated. The main brand used in Vietnam (Bio-Oss from Geistlich Switzerland) is the same product used in premium clinics worldwide. Cost in Hoi An: USD 300 to 550 per site.
Alloplast (synthetic)
Lab-made calcium-based materials. Less commonly used for major grafts but suitable for small filling defects. Cost in Hoi An: USD 250 to 400 per site.
The choice of material is made by your surgeon based on case complexity. Most patients receive xenograft or allograft.
Sinus lift: a specialised graft for upper molars
The maxillary sinus sits directly above the upper back teeth. After tooth loss, the sinus floor naturally drops, leaving inadequate bone for upper-molar implants. A sinus lift gently raises the sinus floor and packs graft material into the space, restoring 8 to 12 mm of vertical bone.
Two techniques:
- Lateral window sinus lift. Used for major lifts (more than 5 mm needed). Surgeon opens a small window in the side of the maxilla and lifts the sinus membrane. 4 to 6 month healing. Cost: USD 800 to 1,200 per side.
- Crestal (osteotome) sinus lift. Used for smaller lifts (3 to 4 mm). Done through the implant site itself, often at the same time as implant placement. Less invasive. Cost: USD 600 to 900 per site, often bundled with implant cost.
The two-visit timeline
Bone grafting almost always requires two visits to Vietnam:
Visit 1: graft placement (5 to 7 days in country)
- Day 1: Consultation, CBCT 3D scan, surgical plan.
- Day 2 to 3: Bone graft surgery and any necessary extractions.
- Day 4 to 7: Recovery in Hoi An, soft diet, gentle activity. Post-op check on day 5 or 6.
Healing gap: 3 to 6 months
You return home. The graft material integrates and new bone forms around it. No active treatment during this period.
Visit 2: implant placement (5 to 7 days)
- Day 1: Re-evaluation CBCT to confirm bone has integrated.
- Day 2: Implant placement.
- Day 3 to 7: Recovery, post-op check, soft diet.
Final crown: 3 to 4 months later
The implant heals (osseointegrates) for 3 to 4 months, then a third short visit (3 to 5 days) for the final crown. Total treatment time start to finish: 9 to 14 months across 3 visits.
Some patients consolidate visits 2 and 3 into one extended trip if their schedule allows, since simple implants can sometimes get a temporary crown right after placement and a final crown 3 months later. Discuss this with your surgeon.
Bone graft and sinus lift costs in Hoi An vs home
| Procedure | Hoi An / Da Nang | Australia | USA | UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single bone graft (per site) | USD 300 to 600 | AUD 1,200 to 2,500 | USD 1,200 to 2,500 | GBP 800 to 1,800 |
| Lateral sinus lift | USD 800 to 1,200 | AUD 4,500 to 6,000 | USD 3,000 to 5,000 | GBP 2,500 to 4,000 |
| Crestal sinus lift | USD 600 to 900 (often bundled) | AUD 2,800 to 4,000 | USD 2,000 to 3,500 | GBP 1,800 to 3,000 |
Risks and what to ask before booking
Bone grafting is routine but not risk-free. Discuss these with your surgeon at the consultation:
- Sinus membrane perforation during sinus lift: occurs in 10 to 30 percent of cases, usually managed at the time without affecting outcome. Higher risk in smokers and patients with prior sinus surgery.
- Graft failure rates: 5 to 15 percent of grafts fail to integrate fully. The fix is typically a second smaller graft 3 to 6 months later. Smokers, diabetics, and patients on certain medications (bisphosphonates) have higher failure rates.
- Infection: rare with prophylactic antibiotics but possible. Strict oral hygiene during healing is essential.
- Numbness: nerve injury is rare but possible in lower-jaw grafts near the inferior alveolar nerve. CBCT planning at Picasso Dental Clinic Da Nang reduces this risk significantly.
- Sinus issues: some patients experience sinus pressure or infection in the weeks after a sinus lift. Resolves with antibiotics and decongestants.
What to ask the surgeon
- How many cases of this specific graft type have you done in the last year?
- Will you use Bio-Oss (xenograft) or another specific material? What is the brand?
- Is the CBCT scan included in the surgical plan?
- What is the documented success rate at your clinic for this procedure?
- What happens if the graft fails — is the revision included or extra cost?
- What antibiotic and pain management protocol do you use post-op?
- How does follow-up work once I return home? Will I get a digital X-ray to share with my local dentist?
Why CT/CBCT planning matters
A cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan creates a 3D map of your jaw, sinuses, and nerve canals. For any bone graft or sinus lift, CBCT planning is essential — without it, the surgeon is working blind to nerve and sinus positions. Picasso Dental Clinic Da Nang includes CBCT in every surgical plan as standard. If a clinic does not use CBCT for graft surgery, do not proceed.
Recovery in Hoi An
Bone graft recovery in Hoi An benefits from the same advantages as implant recovery. Soft food culture, walking-friendly Ancient Town, beach proximity at An Bang for gentle late-week recovery. Avoid:
- Blowing your nose for 7 days after a sinus lift (use saline rinse instead).
- Air travel within 48 hours of sinus lift surgery.
- Smoking and alcohol for 7 days.
- Hot baths and swimming pools for 7 days.
- Lifting heavy objects or strenuous exercise for 14 days.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have the graft and the implant in the same visit?
Sometimes, yes. If the bone deficit is small (less than 3 mm), a graft can be placed at the same time as the implant. Larger deficits require staged treatment.
How will I know if I need a graft before flying?
Send a recent panoramic X-ray to your treatment coordinator at Picasso Dental Clinic Da Nang. The surgeon can give a preliminary assessment. Final confirmation requires the CBCT scan in person.
Is bone grafting painful?
Discomfort is similar to a routine extraction. Most patients manage well with paracetamol and ibuprofen for 3 to 5 days. Stronger pain medication is available if needed.
Can I fly home a few days after a sinus lift?
Avoid flying for 48 to 72 hours after a sinus lift. Cabin pressure changes can disrupt the graft. Most clinics recommend 5 to 7 days in-country.
Is there an alternative to bone grafting?
Yes, for some cases. 'Zygomatic implants' (anchored in the cheekbone) avoid the need for sinus lifts in the upper jaw. 'Short implants' (6 to 8 mm) can sometimes work in shallow bone. Your surgeon will explain options at consultation.
Do bone grafts have an expiry?
Once integrated, the graft becomes your own bone. It does not expire. Implants placed in grafted bone have similar long-term success to implants in native bone.
Can I have All-on-4 if I need bone grafts?
All-on-4 is specifically designed to avoid the need for sinus lifts in many cases by tilting the back implants to use available bone. Many patients who would need sinus lifts for individual implants can have All-on-4 without grafts. Discuss with your surgeon.
Bone grafting and sinus lifts are well within the surgical capability of leading central Vietnam clinics. Compare verified options at Picasso Dental Clinic Da Nang for complex graft cases.