“How soon after the bone graft can I get an implant?”

If the bone graft is a minor one, often done immediately after a tooth extraction, some dental professionals may place the implant simultaneously with the graft, or wait for a period of a few months for the grafted material to integrate with the existing bone. For larger or more complicated grafts, including those that involve augmenting the sinus floor or grafts for larger areas of bone loss, the healing period may extend to 69 months or longer before implant placement can be considered. Factors like your age, overall health, dental hygiene, and any coexisting medical conditions can also affect healing time and thereby the timing for the subsequent implant.

In general, we encourage patients to get a dental implant within six to 12 months of the bone graft. This is because the implant puts the same pressure on the bone that your tooth roots did, which maintains the quantity and quality of bone, preventing bone loss.

It depends on your specific situation, but usually between 3-6 months. If it's in the lower jaw, and you're a healthy non-smoker, 3-4 months is likely fine (CBCT scan will give more information on the bone consolidation after the graft). If you're talking about the upper jaw, usually 5-6 months before the implant can be placed.