Bone grafting
Bone grafting in Vietnam for New Zealand patients
Bone grafting and sinus augmentation at Picasso Dental Clinic for NZ patients — why CBCT determines need, indicative NZD prices, procedures explained, and recovery.
Bone grafting at Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam is always preceded by CBCT 3D imaging to confirm bone volume; indicative costs range from NZD 300 for socket preservation to NZD 2,000 for a lateral sinus lift, compared with New Zealand benchmarks of NZD 500 to NZD 5,000, with the exact requirement determined on-site from your scan.
Bone grafting is not a destination — it is an enabler. For New Zealand patients who have been told they do not have enough bone for an implant, it is often the step that makes the implant possible at all. Whether you need a simple socket preservation at the time of extraction or a more involved sinus lift, the starting point is the same: a CBCT 3D scan that shows exactly what your bone can support.
This page explains the types of bone grafting we perform at Picasso Dental Clinic, the indicative NZD costs, the honest trade-offs around trip length, and how we plan every case before any surgery is agreed.
Why bone volume matters for implants
A dental implant fixture is a titanium screw placed into the jaw bone. For it to integrate securely — a process called osseointegration — it needs minimum bone height and width on all sides. These minimums depend on the implant diameter and system, but as a general rule, inadequate bone leads to implant failure.
Bone resorbs after tooth loss. The process begins within weeks of extraction and accelerates significantly in the first 6 months. Over years without a tooth, the ridge can become so narrow or short that standard implants are no longer viable without first rebuilding the site.
This is why the question “can I have an implant?” cannot be answered from a photograph, a 2D dental X-ray, or a phone consultation. The CBCT scan is the diagnostic instrument that answers it.
Types of bone grafting we perform
| Procedure | What it does | When used | Typical recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Socket preservation | Graft material placed in the extraction socket to prevent ridge collapse | At the time of tooth removal, before planned implant | 2–3 weeks soft tissue; 3–4 months bone maturation |
| Ridge augmentation | Adds bone width or height to a resorbed ridge | When insufficient bone exists for implant diameter or length | 3–5 days discomfort; 4–6 months healing before implant |
| Transcrestal sinus lift (internal) | Raises the sinus floor from below using a controlled expansion technique | Moderate sinus proximity; typically 2–4 mm short of required height | Mild discomfort; 4–6 months before implant loading |
| Lateral window sinus lift | Opens a lateral access window to the sinus cavity and grafts from within | Significant sinus proximity; less than 4 mm residual bone below sinus | 48–72 hours swelling; avoid nose-blowing 2 weeks; 6 months maturation |
| Zygomatic implants | Long implants anchored in the cheekbone — bypass the jaw bone entirely | Severely atrophic upper jaw where sinus grafting is not viable | Surgical recovery similar to sinus lift; no separate grafting phase |
Indicative prices — May 2026
Prices below are indicative, converted at 1 NZD = 15,000 VND. The CBCT 3D scan performed on Day 1 determines exactly what grafting is required. No bone grafting surgery is performed without a written treatment plan issued after imaging.
| Procedure | Indicative cost (NZD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Socket preservation (per site) | NZD 300–500 | At time of extraction |
| Ridge augmentation — single site | NZD 500–1,000 | Bone volume and material determines final figure |
| Transcrestal sinus lift (internal) | NZD 700–1,200 | Often combined with implant placement |
| Lateral window sinus lift (per side) | NZD 1,000–2,000 | May include membrane; bilateral doubles the figure |
| Zygomatic implants | On assessment | CBCT required; case-by-case pricing after Dr. Phong review |
See full pricing for implant system and crown pricing, which is quoted alongside grafting in your written estimate.
For the full New Zealand-vs-Vietnam cost breakdown, see our bone grafting cost guide.
NZ vs Vietnam — the economics
| Procedure | NZ indicative range | Picasso indicative | Indicative saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Socket preservation (per site) | NZD 500–1,200 | NZD 300–500 | NZD 200–700 |
| Lateral window sinus lift (per side) | NZD 2,500–5,000 | NZD 1,000–2,000 | NZD 1,500–3,000 |
The clearest financial case in dental tourism is not always the implant itself — it is the sinus lift. In New Zealand, a single lateral sinus lift typically costs NZD 2,500 to NZD 5,000 before a single implant is placed. At Picasso, the combined cost of a sinus lift plus implant is often lower than the sinus lift alone in New Zealand.
NZ price ranges are indicative planning benchmarks. They are not a quote from any specific clinic and vary by region and clinician.
For a written NZD estimate including any bone grafting your CBCT indicates is needed: request a free quote.
Does bone grafting always add an extra trip?
This is the most practical question for Kiwis planning treatment, and the honest answer is: it depends on the type of grafting.
Socket preservation at time of extraction does not add an extra trip. If you are having a failing tooth extracted and want to preserve the ridge for a future implant, the graft is placed in the same surgical session as the extraction.
Transcrestal sinus lift combined with implant placement is possible in selected cases where residual bone height allows immediate fixture placement. The CBCT scan determines this. If the bone is sufficient for stability, the sinus lift and implant can proceed together — one surgical session, one healing period.
Lateral window sinus lift as a standalone procedure typically requires the site to heal for 6 months before implant placement. This means two trips to Vietnam: one for the sinus lift, one for the implant, and a third for the crown — though the implant and crown phases can sometimes be compressed depending on osseointegration progress.
Standalone ridge augmentation similarly requires 4–6 months of healing before implant placement. Your treatment plan will state the expected number of trips clearly before you book any flights.
The CBCT-first protocol
We do not quote bone grafting from a 2D OPG panoramic X-ray alone. This is not a technicality — it is a patient safety issue.
A standard 2D OPG shows the jaw in silhouette. It systematically underestimates bone width and gives an imprecise measurement of the vertical distance between the ridge and the sinus floor. A lateral sinus lift that was not anticipated from the OPG, discovered on the day of implant surgery, is a serious informed consent failure.
A CBCT 3D scan shows bone dimensions in all three planes. It shows the exact sinus floor distance, the position of the inferior alveolar nerve, any pathology in the bone, and the precise ridge width at every implant site. At Picasso, the CBCT is performed on Day 1. The written treatment plan is issued after the scan is reviewed. No grafting procedure goes ahead without that plan in the patient’s hands.
If you already have a CBCT from a New Zealand or Vietnamese radiologist, send it to us at [email protected] for a preliminary review — though an on-site scan is still required before surgery.
Zygomatic implants — for the most atrophic upper jaws
For patients with severe upper jaw bone loss where sinus grafting is not possible, zygomatic implants are an alternative that does not require bone to be built first.
A zygomatic implant is a long titanium fixture — typically 35 to 55 mm — anchored in the dense cheekbone (zygoma) rather than in the jaw. Because the cheekbone is unaffected by dental bone resorption, it can support implants even when the jaw has resorbed completely. A full upper arch can be supported by two to four zygomatic implants, sometimes combined with standard implants in the front of the jaw where bone remains.
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong, our Head of Implantology, has placed over 400 zygomatic cases since 2017. He trained at Loma Linda University and has been practising implantology since 2001. Zygomatic cases are priced individually after CBCT review and clinical consultation. If you have been told you are not a candidate for standard implants due to bone loss, send your imaging for assessment.
The typical Kiwi grafting and implant timeline
| Stage | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-travel | Before flights | Send OPG or CBCT if available; preliminary review; written estimate issued |
| Day 1 (Vietnam) | Arrival | CBCT scan; clinical examination; finalised treatment plan |
| Day 2–3 | Surgery | Socket preservation, ridge augmentation, or sinus lift (and implant if same-session) |
| Days 3–7 | Recovery in Hanoi | Soft diet; avoid nose-blowing after sinus lift; follow-up review before flying |
| 4–6 months | Healing (at home in NZ) | Bone maturation; review OPG with NZ dentist if required |
| Return trip | Implant placement | If not placed in first session |
| 3–6 months | Osseointegration | At home in NZ |
| Final trip | Crown placement | Abutment and ceramic crown fitted; fit and function checked |
Where a sinus lift and implant are placed in the same session, the return trip for implant placement is eliminated — reducing the total number of trips.
Recovery after bone grafting
After a lateral window sinus lift:
- Expect 48–72 hours of noticeable facial swelling on the treated side, managed with prescribed anti-inflammatories and pain relief.
- Do not blow your nose for two weeks. Gentle nose-clearing only.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for one week.
- Soft diet for the initial 2–3 weeks; avoid anything that creates pressure changes (diving, flying with a head cold).
- Most patients can fly home 5–7 days after the procedure.
After ridge augmentation:
- Soft tissue swelling and discomfort for 3–5 days, typically less than after a sinus lift.
- Soft diet for 2 weeks.
- The graft site is protected by a membrane that resorbs over time; avoid pressure on the site.
In both cases, you will be given written post-operative instructions to take home, along with any prescription medication needed for the initial recovery period.
What to send for assessment
To give us a useful preliminary review before your visit, the most helpful information is:
- An OPG or CBCT scan if you have one (DICOM format is ideal; a JPEG of the screen is a starting point)
- A description of which teeth are missing, failing, or have been recently extracted
- How long the site has been edentulous (toothless)
- Your medical history, particularly: bisphosphonate use (Fosamax, Prolia — affects bone healing), long-term steroid use, diabetes, and smoking status
- Any previous implant attempts, with outcome
Contact us at [email protected]. We will respond with a preliminary assessment and let you know whether the information is sufficient or whether an on-site CBCT is needed before we can quote.
Next step
If you have been told you need bone grafting before an implant, or if you are uncertain whether you have enough bone, the first step is sending your existing imaging for review — or planning a visit for a CBCT-guided assessment.
Request a free NZD quote · Dental implants · All-on-4 · Is it safe?
About this page
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong
Head of Implantology, Picasso Dental Clinic
DDS · 25+ years in practice · 15,000+ implants placed · 1,000+ All-on-4 cases
Clinical focus: Implantology · All-on-4 · Zygomatic implants
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong has practised since 2001 and leads implantology across the Picasso group. He was the first Vietnamese dentist to perform All-on-4 immediate loading (2010), placed over 15,000 implants across his career at roughly 600 per year, and has completed 400+ zygomatic implant cases since 2017. Loma Linda University-trained (2010). Clinical representative for Nobel Biocare in Vietnam since 2007.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need bone grafting before a dental implant?
A dental implant needs sufficient bone height and width to osseointegrate securely. After tooth loss, the jaw bone resorbs — significantly within the first 6 months and continuously thereafter. If bone volume falls below the minimum required for an implant, bone grafting rebuilds the site before or at the time of implant placement. The CBCT 3D scan at Picasso Dental Clinic determines whether grafting is needed and what type before any surgery is planned.
Do I need a CBCT scan before bone grafting at Picasso?
Yes, always. We do not quote or plan bone grafting from a 2D OPG alone. A CBCT 3D scan on Day 1 shows the exact bone dimensions, sinus floor proximity, and nerve position. This determines whether you need socket preservation, a ridge augmentation, a transcrestal sinus lift, a lateral window sinus lift, or whether zygomatic implants are the more appropriate solution. The written treatment plan is issued after imaging, not before.
What types of bone grafting does Picasso Dental Clinic perform?
We perform socket preservation at the time of extraction, single-site ridge augmentation for narrow or resorbed ridges, transcrestal (internal) sinus lifts for moderate sinus floor proximity, and lateral window sinus lifts for more significant sinus proximity. For severely atrophic upper jaws where sinus grafting is not viable, Dr. Tran Thanh Phong specialises in zygomatic implants anchored in the cheekbone.
What are the indicative costs of bone grafting at Picasso in NZD?
As of May 2026, indicative costs are: socket preservation per site approximately NZD 300–500; single-site ridge augmentation approximately NZD 500–1,000; transcrestal sinus lift approximately NZD 700–1,200; lateral window sinus lift approximately NZD 1,000–2,000 per side. Zygomatic implants are priced on a case-by-case basis after CBCT assessment. All figures use 1 NZD = 15,000 VND. Exact costs are confirmed only after imaging.
How much does bone grafting cost in New Zealand?
Indicative New Zealand private benchmarks are: socket preservation NZD 500–1,200 per site; sinus augmentation NZD 2,500–5,000 per side. These are indicative planning ranges, not a quote from any specific New Zealand clinic. The combined cost of an implant plus sinus lift at Picasso is often lower than the cost of just the sinus lift in New Zealand.
Does bone grafting always mean I need an extra trip to Vietnam?
Not always. Socket preservation performed at the time of extraction does not add an extra trip. A sinus lift may be possible in the same surgical session as implant placement in selected cases where residual bone allows immediate fixture placement — this is determined by your CBCT scan. A standalone ridge augmentation requiring a 4–6 month healing phase before implant placement will add a return visit. Your treatment plan will state the expected number of trips before you book flights.
What are zygomatic implants and when are they used?
Zygomatic implants are long titanium implants anchored in the cheekbone (zygoma) rather than the jaw bone. They are an option for patients with severely atrophic upper jaws where there is insufficient bone for standard implants and sinus grafting is not viable. Dr. Tran Thanh Phong has placed over 400 zygomatic cases since 2017. Pricing is on a case-by-case basis after CBCT assessment.
What is the recovery after a lateral sinus lift?
Expect 48–72 hours of swelling and discomfort, managed with prescribed medication. Avoid blowing your nose for two weeks, avoid strenuous activity for one week, and follow a soft diet for the initial healing period. Most patients can fly home within 5–7 days of surgery. If implant placement was in the same session, the osseointegration period of 4–6 months follows before the final crown is placed.