Dental bone grafting in Palma
If you have been told you do not have enough bone for dental implants, it does not mean you cannot have them. A dental bone graft rebuilds the missing bone in the upper or lower jaw so the implant has a solid foundation. It is a routine procedure in implant dentistry and, in many cases, it is done in the same surgery as the implant.
At Clínicas Udemax, bone grafts are carried out by maxillofacial surgeons at Udemax Miramar, in the outpatient clinics of Hospital Juaneda Miramar in Palma, with a 3D scan beforehand and the option of conscious sedation with an anaesthetist. We see patients from all over Mallorca, including residents and visitors to the island. To find out more about our clinic and team, start with dental implantology in Mallorca.
Bone measured before any decision
Graft integration, depending on technique and material
Surgery at Hospital Juaneda Miramar
First visit and diagnosis
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What is a dental bone graft?
It is a procedure in which a filling material, from your own body, a donor, an animal source or a synthetic one, is placed where bone is missing. The material acts as a scaffold: your body forms new bone on it and, over the following months, replaces it partly or completely with your own bone. Once the area has matured, the implant can be placed with confidence.
The most common reason is time passing after a tooth is lost. Without the root to stimulate it, the bone resorbs, losing mainly width and, to a lesser extent, height. That is why the sooner a tooth is replaced, the less likely you are to need a graft.
What the evidence says: a systematic review (Tan et al., 2012) found that six months after an extraction, the ridge loses 29% to 63% of its width and 11% to 22% of its height. Read a summary of the review.
When is a bone graft needed?
The 3D scan decides, measuring the width, height and density of the bone where the implant would go. The most common situations are:
- Teeth lost a long time ago, especially molars, where the ridge has narrowed.
- Advanced periodontitis, which destroys the bone that held the teeth. Before grafting, the disease must be under control with periodontics.
- Extractions with infection, cysts or fractures, which leave a localised bone defect.
- The back of the upper jaw, where the sinus reduces bone height: here the technique is a maxillary sinus lift.
- Visible areas, where volume is needed so the gum and final tooth look natural.
It is not always necessary. With limited bone, a graft can sometimes be avoided with shorter or tilted implants, as in full-arch implants in one day. We explain your options with your 3D scan in front of you.
Types of bone graft by material
Your own bone (autograft)
Taken from another area of the mouth. It integrates best but needs a second surgical site, so it is kept for large defects.
Donor bone (allograft)
Human bone processed and sterilised by tissue banks. It avoids a second surgical site.
Animal-derived (xenograft)
Usually bovine, treated to remove its organic content. It resorbs slowly and holds volume well; very common in sinus lifts.
Synthetic
Laboratory-made materials such as calcium phosphates. An option if you prefer to avoid human or animal materials.
Bone grafting techniques we use
Socket preservation
When a tooth is removed, the socket is filled with graft material to slow resorption. It is the simplest way to avoid a larger graft later, if the implant is not placed at that time.
Implant after extractionGuided bone regeneration
Graft particles covered with a membrane that stops the gum filling the space. It is the most common technique for moderate defects and often allows the implant to go in during the same surgery.
Block graft
A block of bone fixed with small screws to gain significant width or height in a specific area. It needs several months to mature before the implant.
Maxillary sinus lift
The sinus membrane is lifted and the space filled with graft material to gain height in the upper molar area.
Sinus liftBone grafting in periodontics
Not every bone graft is for implants. When periodontitis has destroyed some of the bone around a tooth that can still be saved, some defects can be regenerated with graft material, membranes or proteins that stimulate healing. The aim is to improve support for your own tooth and avoid losing it.
This surgery is only considered once the infection is under control and hygiene is good, and not every defect responds in the same way. The assessment is carried out by our periodontics team.
The treatment step by step
3D scan and plan
We review your medical history, examine your mouth and take a 3D scan to measure the defect and its distance from the nerve or the sinus. We explain the technique, the material and the timings, with a detailed quote. The first consultation is free.
Surgery
Under local anaesthesia and, if you prefer, conscious sedation with an anaesthetist, the area is prepared, the graft is placed, covered with a membrane if the technique requires it, and stitched. If the bone allows it, the implant is placed in the same procedure.
Graft integration
Depending on the technique and material, the graft takes 4 to 9 months to mature. During this time we carry out check-ups to see how the new bone is forming.
Implant and final tooth
Once the bone has consolidated, the implant is placed if it was not placed earlier, followed by the final crown or prosthesis.
Recovery and aftercare after a bone graft
The first few days
Swelling usually peaks at 48 to 72 hours and a small bruise may appear. Apply cold for the first 24 to 48 hours, sleep with your head slightly raised and take the medication we prescribe.
Diet and habits
Soft, lukewarm food, without chewing on the grafted area. No smoking: it reduces blood supply to the bone and is the main reason grafts fail. Avoid alcohol and strenuous exercise for the first week.
Hygiene
Brush the rest of your mouth from day one, gently near the surgical area, and use the mouthwash we recommend. Attend the stitch removal and all check-ups.
Call us if you notice pain that does not ease with medication, bleeding that does not stop with pressure, pus, fever, graft granules coming out or swelling that gets worse after the third day. Udemax Miramar: +34 971 76 75 22.
Risks and results
Possible complications
- Infection of the grafted area.
- Exposure of the membrane through the gum.
- Partial loss of the graft, which may need to be repeated.
- In the sinus, a tear in the membrane, which is repaired during the same surgery.
What increases the risk
- Smoking.
- Poorly controlled diabetes.
- Osteoporosis treatment with bisphosphonates: always tell us.
- Poor oral hygiene or active periodontitis.
When the case is properly indicated and aftercare is followed, implants placed in regenerated bone achieve results comparable to those placed in natural bone. If in your case the risk outweighs the benefit, we will tell you and suggest alternatives.
Bone grafting specialists in Palma
Bone grafts are carried out by Dr Ángel Cabanes, a specialist in maxillofacial surgery, advanced oral surgery and implantology, and Dr Emilio Martínez-Almoyna Rifá.
Where we carry out bone grafts
Bone grafts are carried out at Udemax Miramar, in the outpatient clinics of Hospital Juaneda Miramar in Palma, with parking and a bus stop one minute away. We see patients from all over Mallorca.
Implantology Centre
Udemax Miramar
Consultas Externas del Hospital Juaneda Miramar
Camí de la Vileta, 30 · 07011 Palma
- Monday to Thursday
- 9:00–13:00 · 16:00–20:00
- Friday
- 9:00–20:00
By car
Paid car park at Juaneda Miramar Hospital, a one-minute walk away. There is also free parking on Camí de la Vileta, about a 10-minute walk away.
Go to parkingBy bus
MT bus routes 6, 8 and 29, stopping at ‘Policlínica’, in front of the hospital.
View bus routeBy taxi
Taxi ranks at Camí de la Vileta, 51, and Carrer de Pasqual Ribot, 1.
Frequently asked questions about dental bone grafting
Is a dental bone graft painful?
Not during surgery, as it is done under local anaesthesia, and at Udemax Miramar conscious sedation with an anaesthetist can be added. Afterwards, discomfort is usually similar to a difficult extraction and is controlled with painkillers and anti-inflammatories.
How long does recovery and graft integration take?
The discomfort lasts a few days and swelling goes down within a week. Integration of the graft, which is what allows the implant to be placed, takes 4 to 9 months depending on the technique and material.
Will I need time off work?
After small grafts, most patients are back at work within a day or two. For block grafts or larger sinus lifts it is worth planning a few more days. We will advise you based on your surgery.
How much does a dental bone graft cost in Mallorca?
It depends on the technique, the amount of material and whether the implant is placed in the same surgery. You receive a fixed quote after the 3D scan at the first visit, which is free, and treatment can be financed.
Can the implant be placed at the same time as the graft?
Yes, when the remaining bone allows the implant to be fixed securely. If the defect is large, the graft is done first and the implant is placed once the bone has matured.
What happens if the graft becomes infected?
Typical signs are increasing pain, pus, a bad taste or graft granules coming out. Contact the clinic as soon as possible: it is often resolved with cleaning and medication, and in other cases part of the graft has to be removed and repeated later.
Can the body reject a bone graft?
Immune rejection is very rare. When a graft fails, it is usually due to infection, smoking or poor blood supply to the area, which is why we assess these factors before surgery.
Do I always need a graft to have implants?
No. Many people have enough bone, and in other cases a graft can be avoided with short or tilted implants. The 3D scan at the first visit is what decides.