A successful dental implant depends entirely on there being sufficient jaw bone to anchor the titanium post. Bone loss is extremely common — it begins within weeks of a tooth being extracted and accelerates with gum disease, trauma and long-term denture wear. Many patients assume they are disqualified from implants because of bone loss. In most cases, they are not.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Selim Bilgin has over 20 years of surgical experience in bone augmentation, including socket grafts, ridge augmentation, sinus lifts (lateral and crestal) and block grafts. Pro Estetik in Izmir offers these procedures at 60–75% less than UK prices, with all treatment — including 3D CBCT imaging — under one roof.
Bone augmentation procedures in the UK are expensive and often not covered by dental insurance. Pro Estetik in Izmir offers the same procedures — using the same internationally certified graft materials and membrane systems — at a fraction of UK costs:
| Procedure | Pro Estetik, Izmir (£) | Typical UK Price (£) | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Socket Preservation / Ridge Graft (per site) | £200 – £400 | £500 – £1,000 | ~60% |
| Sinus Lift — Crestal (internal, per sinus) | £250 – £350 | £800 – £1,500 | ~70% |
| Sinus Lift — Lateral Window (per sinus) | £300 – £400 | £1,200 – £2,000 | ~75% |
| Block Graft (per site) | £300 – £500 | £1,000 – £2,000 | ~70% |
All prices include: graft material, membrane, local anaesthesia, surgery and post-op review. Prices are per site. Multiple sites may be treated simultaneously. See our full pricing page for complete details.
The jaw bone maintains its density because of the stimulation provided by tooth roots. When that stimulation is removed — or when disease attacks the bone directly — resorption begins. Understanding the cause helps determine the appropriate graft type and timing:
When a tooth is extracted, the bone that surrounded the root begins to resorb within the first few weeks. Studies show 40–60% of bone width can be lost in the first 3 years after extraction. The longer a tooth has been missing, the greater the resorption. Socket preservation at the time of extraction can prevent this entirely.
Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) destroys the bone that supports the teeth directly. Bacteria beneath the gum line trigger an immune response that progressively erodes bone, loosening teeth and creating deep pockets. Once gum disease has been treated and stabilised, bone augmentation can restore the lost volume needed for implants.
Dentures rest on the gum surface and do not transfer chewing forces into the underlying bone. Without mechanical stimulation from tooth roots, the bone beneath dentures slowly resorbs over years of wear. Many long-term denture wearers have severely resorbed ridges that require significant augmentation before implant placement — or are candidates for All-on-4 which minimises this need.
Physical trauma to the jaw — sports injuries, accidents or falls — can fracture or crush bone, creating defects that require grafting to restore normal architecture. Dental infections and cysts, if left untreated, also destroy surrounding bone. Once the infection is completely cleared, a graft reconstructs the bone volume needed to support an implant.
Dr. Bilgin performs the full range of bone augmentation procedures. The appropriate type is determined by your 3D CBCT scan findings, the location and extent of bone loss, and whether implants can be placed simultaneously or require a staged approach:
The most commonly performed bone augmentation procedure. When a tooth is extracted, graft material is immediately placed into the empty socket and covered with a collagen membrane before closure. This preserves the bone width and height that would otherwise be lost in the months after extraction, maintaining the ideal site for implant placement without needing a second, more invasive procedure later.
Best for: Planned implant placement after extraction. Greatly simplifies treatment and reduces overall cost when done at the time of extraction.
When a tooth has been missing for some time and the ridge has already resorbed, a ridge augmentation rebuilds the lost bone width and/or height. Graft material is placed on the outer surface of the jaw and covered with a resorbable membrane (guided bone regeneration). The site heals over 3–4 months as the graft integrates with the patient's own bone, creating a wider, taller ridge capable of supporting an implant.
Best for: Patients who are ready for implants but have a narrow or flat ridge due to previous tooth loss.
The lateral sinus lift is the gold standard for large sinus lifts where significant bone height is required (typically more than 5 mm). A small window is opened in the side wall of the maxillary sinus through the gum. The sinus membrane is carefully elevated and a large volume of graft material is packed beneath it, raising the floor of the sinus. After 4–6 months of healing, implants are placed into the new bone.
Best for: Patients with very low residual bone height in the upper posterior jaw (less than 4–5 mm beneath the sinus floor).
For cases where there is at least 5–6 mm of bone below the sinus floor, a less invasive crestal sinus lift can be performed simultaneously with implant placement. The implant site is prepared through the gum (the normal implant approach) and a small osteotome gently elevates the sinus membrane from below. Graft material is then introduced around the implant apex. Faster recovery than the lateral approach and can be done in a single procedure.
Best for: Patients with mild to moderate sinus floor encroachment and good residual bone height.
When the ridge deficiency is too large for a particulate graft to restore adequately, a solid block of bone (harvested from the chin — symphysis — or the back of the lower jaw — ramus) is used. The block is shaped to fit the defect, fixed with titanium screws, and covered with a membrane. Block grafts require a donor site within the mouth but produce highly reliable results for large-volume augmentation where vertical height gain is needed.
Best for: Severe horizontal or vertical bone deficiencies where ridge augmentation with particulate graft would be insufficient.
Here is exactly what to expect from your first contact to the day your implants are placed:
Your first visit to Pro Estetik begins with a full clinical examination and a 3D CBCT (cone beam CT) scan. This gives Dr. Bilgin a precise three-dimensional map of your jaw bone — measuring residual bone height, width and density at each planned implant site. The scan also shows the exact position of the sinus floor, nerve canal and any anatomical variations. Your treatment plan is finalised based on this data.
Surgery is performed under local anaesthesia at Pro Estetik — usually on day 2 of your first visit. The procedure typically takes 45–90 minutes depending on the type and number of sites. Graft material is placed, the membrane applied, and the site closed with sutures. In straightforward socket cases, implants may be placed on the same day. You are prescribed antibiotics and pain relief and typically rest the following day before flying home.
You return to the UK and the graft heals quietly at home. New bone cells gradually grow into the graft material, replacing it over 3–6 months (depending on graft type and volume). Our team is available via WhatsApp throughout this period. At the end of the healing phase you return to Izmir for a repeat CBCT scan to confirm that adequate bone has formed and to plan implant placement.
Once the 3D rescan confirms sufficient bone volume, implant surgery proceeds exactly as for a standard implant case. The titanium fixture is placed into the grafted site — which now behaves identically to native bone. Osseointegration then takes a further 3–5 months before the final crown is fitted. Many patients have implant placement and temporary crown fitted in the same visit.
This is one of the most common questions patients with bone loss ask — and the answer is usually no. The All-on-4 technique was specifically engineered to avoid bone grafting in the majority of full-arch cases, making it possible to place a complete set of teeth in a single visit even in patients with significant bone resorption.
The technique works by positioning the two posterior implants at a 45-degree angle into the denser bone available in the anterior jaw — completely avoiding the areas of resorption in the posterior upper jaw that would otherwise require a sinus lift. The result: a stable, immediate full-arch restoration without any prior augmentation in most cases.
A 3D CBCT scan is the only way to determine with certainty whether augmentation is required. Dr. Bilgin reviews this thoroughly at consultation and will never recommend a graft that is not clinically necessary.
If you already have a CBCT scan or recent dental X-rays, send them to us directly. Dr. Bilgin will review them and confirm within 24 hours whether a bone graft is required — and what treatment options are available — completely free of charge.
Send Scans for Free ReviewWhatsApp (instant):
+90 532 773 10 35
Email:
[email protected]
Izmir is 3.5 hrs direct from London, Manchester & Birmingham. 3D CBCT scan included at consultation.
Unsure if you have enough bone for implants? Send us any existing scans or X-rays — Dr. Bilgin will review them and confirm your options free of charge.
Request Free ReviewWhatsApp (instant):
+90 532 773 10 35
Email:
[email protected]
Izmir is 3.5 hrs direct from London, Manchester & Birmingham.
Single tooth replacement with titanium implants and porcelain or zirconium crowns. From £200.
Full arch teeth replacement on 4 implants — usually without bone grafting. Full mouth from £5,899.
Premium crown option to complete your implant restoration. From £120.
All treatments with UK price comparison and package deals.
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