Dental Bone Grafting in Abu Dhabi

Medically reviewed byDr. Yazan AbukhalafOral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, PhD

Reviewed: September 2026

What is a dental bone graft?

A dental bone graft adds bone to the jaw where it has become too thin or too low. Dentists also call it a dental bone transplant or a tooth bone graft. Some people call it a gum bone graft, although the graft is placed in the jawbone under the gum.

After a tooth is lost, the bone in that area slowly shrinks. Within months, the jaw can lose width and height. If the bone is too thin, an implant has nothing stable to hold on to.

The graft material provides a framework for new bone to grow into. Healing and material breakdown depend on the graft used. Some material can remain within the healed bone.

When you need a bone graft before implants

You may need bone grafting for dental implants when the jawbone is too thin, too low or damaged to hold an implant. The doctor decides this after a 3D CBCT scan. Many patients have enough bone and do not need a graft at all.

Bone augmentation for dental implants is usually considered in these situations:

• A tooth has been missing for a long time. The bone in the gap shrinks and becomes narrower and lower.
• Advanced gum disease. Periodontitis damages the gum and the bone that supports the teeth. The infection is treated first, and then a graft can rebuild the lost bone. You can read more about periodontitis treatment.
• An injury, a cyst or an infection. These can leave hollow or uneven areas in the bone. Infection around an implant can also cause bone loss. Read about late dental implant problems.
• Too little bone under the sinus. In the upper back jaw, the sinus can sit close to the tooth area. In this case a sinus lift adds bone under the sinus floor.
• Major bite restoration. When several crowns or implants are planned, the existing bone may be too thin to carry the load.

At TRUE SMILE, the doctor measures the height, width and density of your bone on a 3D CBCT scan. The doctor then shows you the scan and explains your options. If there is enough bone, a graft is not needed. In that case, you can read about dental implants without bone grafting.

Bone grafting methods we use

The method depends on where the bone is missing and how much is missing. Most bone grafts for implants use one of three methods. The surgeon chooses the method after studying your CBCT scan.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR)

Guided bone regeneration means placing graft material and covering it with a thin protective membrane. The membrane keeps the gum from growing into the graft. This gives the bone time to form in the right place. GBR is often used to rebuild a small or medium area of bone around a future implant.

Ridge augmentation

The ridge is the part of the jaw that holds the teeth. Ridge augmentation adds width or height to this ridge, so that an implant can fit inside the bone. Dental ridge augmentation is usually done with graft material and a membrane, using the same idea as GBR.

Sinus lift

A sinus lift adds bone in the upper back jaw, under the floor of the sinus. It is used when the bone there is too low for an implant. The surgeon gently lifts the sinus lining and places graft material underneath. You can read more on our sinus lift surgery page.

Bone graft and implant: same visit or two stages

The bone graft and the implant can be placed in one visit or in two stages. The surgeon makes this decision after the CBCT scan. The choice depends on how much bone is missing and how stable the implant would be.

Graft and implant in one visit

Sometimes only a small amount of bone is missing around the implant site. Then the surgeon may place the implant and the graft at the same time. In this case, the graft fills the gap around the implant. This can shorten the overall treatment.

Graft first, implant later

When the bone is too thin or too low, the graft heals first. Bone healing usually takes three to six months, but the surgeon assesses when your bone is ready for an implant. The doctor then checks the area on a scan and places the implant when there is enough new bone. This approach is part of two-stage dental implant treatment.

Graft and implant after a tooth extraction

Sometimes a tooth is removed, and the implant and the graft are placed on the same day. You can read more about immediate implant placement after extraction.

How the procedure works

Bone graft surgery is done in the dental chair under local anaesthesia. The surgeon places the graft material in the jaw where bone is missing. The procedure usually takes 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area. The surgeon estimates the duration for your case.

1. Consultation and CBCT scan. The doctor examines your mouth and takes a 3D CBCT scan of the jaw. Then the doctor explains whether you need a graft and which method and material suit your case.
2. Planning. You and the doctor decide on timing. The graft can be placed before the implant or in the same visit, depending on your bone.
3. Surgery. The area is numbed with local anaesthesia. The surgeon places the graft material where bone is lacking and may cover it with a membrane. The gum is then closed with stitches.
4. Healing. New bone grows into the graft area during healing. How the material changes depends on the graft used. You come in for check-ups during this time.
5. Implant or crown. When the new bone is stable, the doctor places the implant. If the implant was placed together with the graft, the doctor checks healing before planning the final crown.

If you feel anxious about surgery, please tell the doctor at the consultation. The doctor will explain how pain is managed during and after the procedure.

Bone graft materials and membranes

Dental bone graft material can come from your own body, from a donor, from an animal source or from a laboratory. The surgeon chooses the material based on the size and location of the defect, your medical history and the treatment timing. A membrane is often placed over the graft to protect it while it heals.

Materials

An autograft is also called an autogenous bone graft. Allograft dental material is sometimes called cadaver bone. In practice, donor bone comes from a tissue bank and is processed and sterilised before use. Synthetic bone graft materials and bovine bone grafts are both bone graft substitutes. They give your bone a framework to grow into.

Sometimes the surgeon combines materials to suit the area being treated. The choice depends on the bone defect and the treatment plan.

Membranes

A dental bone graft membrane is a thin sheet that the surgeon places over the graft. The membrane keeps the gum from growing into the graft and holds the graft material in place. This is why the method is called guided bone regeneration. There are two main kinds of membrane.

• Resorbable membranes are usually made of collagen. The body breaks them down on its own, so they do not need to be removed. They are often used for smaller grafts and socket preservation.
• Non-resorbable membranes are made of materials such as PTFE, sometimes with a titanium frame. They hold their shape well over a larger area. A non-resorbable membrane needs surgical removal. The surgeon explains when this will be done.

The surgeon decides whether you need a bone graft with a membrane and which kind suits your case.

Socket preservation after tooth extraction

Socket preservation means filling the empty socket with graft material right after a tooth is removed. Socket preservation can reduce bone loss while the socket heals and help prepare the area for a future implant. The doctor decides whether socket preservation is needed in your case.

After a tooth extraction, the bone around the socket starts to shrink. The front wall of the socket is often thin, so it can shrink faster. A bone graft for ridge preservation fills the socket and supports the bone while it heals. The graft is often covered with a membrane or a collagen plug. If you plan an implant, it makes sense to discuss socket preservation with the doctor before the tooth is removed.

Molar extraction and bone graft

Removing a molar can leave a large socket. In the upper jaw, the sinus may be close to the roots. The doctor assesses the remaining bone and whether a graft may help prepare the area for an implant. The doctor plans it based on the CBCT scan taken before the extraction. You can read more about complex tooth extraction.

Bone grafting cost in Abu Dhabi

In the clinic price list, bone grafting at TRUE SMILE costs AED 5,160–5,400. The exact price depends on your case. The doctor confirms it after a consultation and a CBCT scan.

Prices for bone grafting and related services from our price list. These are individual entries, rather than a treatment package:

The bone graft cost depends on several things:

• the size of the area that needs new bone;
• the graft material and whether a membrane is needed;
• whether the graft is placed together with the implant or separately;
• whether a sinus lift is also needed.

Patients often ask how much bone grafting costs per tooth. The doctor explains after the scan how the price applies to your case. If you have been told that you need guided bone regeneration, please ask at the consultation which price list items apply to your plan.

All prices are on our price list.

Dental implant cost with a bone graft

The price list shows separate entries for bone grafting, implant placement and an implant-supported crown. The doctor confirms which items apply and what each includes. Whether you need a graft at all is decided by the doctor after a CBCT scan.

The doctor gives you the exact total after the CBCT scan. You can read more about implant treatment costs on the dental implants page.

Recovery after bone grafting

The gum usually closes over the graft area within 10 to 14 days. Bone healing usually takes three to six months. The doctor assesses your recovery based on the graft and your general health.

What to expect during recovery:

• Mild swelling and tenderness are common in the first 48 to 72 hours. Swelling may increase during this time before it starts to settle.
• Many patients can return to work the next day, depending on the surgery and their job. The doctor advises when to return.
• Discomfort is usually controlled with standard pain medication.
• You come in for check-ups, so the doctor can confirm that the graft is stable.
• Soft food is usually advised at first. Follow the doctor’s instructions for cleaning and rinsing, and avoid disturbing the surgical area.
• Smoking can slow healing. Follow the doctor’s advice about smoking and when to resume strenuous activity.

Please call the clinic if you have a fever or if the pain gets worse after the third day. Call us too if bleeding does not stop or the swelling grows instead of going down.

Step-by-step advice for the first days is in our aftercare instructions after bone grafting or sinus lift.

Why choose TRUE SMILE for bone grafting

At TRUE SMILE, bone grafting is planned with a 3D CBCT scan. The clinic provides aftercare instructions and follow-up appointments during healing.

• An oral surgeon on the team. Our team includes oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Yazan Abukhalaf.
• 3D CBCT in the clinic. The scan is done in the clinic, so the doctor can plan the graft and the implant from the same scan.
• Clear plan and prices. The doctor explains each step and gives you the plan before treatment starts. Prices come from the clinic price list.
• Aftercare. You get written aftercare instructions and check-ups while the bone heals.
• Location. The clinic is in Leaf Tower on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi.

Related: full-arch restoration on implants.