Jawbone Restoration
Lost bone doesn't mean lost options. Bone grafting rebuilds the foundation your jaw needs — for dental implants, for preserved facial structure, and for the confidence that comes with both. At Vera Dental in Tanjong Pagar CBD, we make the journey straightforward and comfortable.
Foundation
Rebuilding bone for dental implant success
Rebuild
Preparing your jaw for dental implants
3 min walk
From Tanjong Pagar MRT to our clinic
Understanding Bone Loss
When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it begins to deteriorate. Without intervention, this bone resorption can make dental implants impossible and alter facial appearance over time.
Bone Loss in Year One
After tooth extraction, up to 25% of surrounding bone can be lost within the first year if left unprotected.
Precision Assessment
A CT scan reveals the exact shape and volume of your jawbone, allowing us to plan the most effective grafting approach.
Months to Integrate
Your body generates new bone cells around the graft material, creating a strong natural foundation built to last.
Is This for You?
Bone grafting may be recommended in several situations. You don't always need one — a thorough assessment will determine the right path for you.
If you've been told there isn't sufficient jawbone to support a dental implant, a bone graft can rebuild what's needed. This is especially common when teeth have been missing for months or years, as the jawbone naturally deteriorates without the stimulation of a tooth root.
The longer a tooth has been missing, the more the jawbone beneath it deteriorates. If you lost a tooth months or years ago and are now considering an implant, a bone graft can rebuild the volume that has been lost — restoring your eligibility for a stable, well-anchored dental implant.
Severe periodontal disease can erode the bone supporting your teeth, leading to loosening and eventual tooth loss. Bone grafting can help restore what's been lost, stabilising remaining teeth and creating the conditions for successful treatment.
Long-term tooth loss changes the shape of your jaw. Beyond affecting implant eligibility, jawbone deterioration can alter facial structure, causing the face to appear sunken or aged. Bone grafting restores volume and helps maintain your natural profile.
Visual Guide
When a tooth has been missing for a long time, the jawbone beneath it shrinks. Bone graft material is placed into the resorbed area to rebuild volume, creating a strong foundation for a future dental implant.
Bone Graft for Implant Preparation — Cross Section
Illustrative diagram. Actual anatomy varies by patient.
What to Expect
Bone grafting is a minor surgical procedure that can be performed comfortably in our clinic under local anaesthesia. Here is how the process works from consultation to recovery.
We assess your jawbone with dental X-rays or a CT scan to determine the exact area, volume, and type of bone graft you need.
The area is numbed with local anaesthesia. You remain comfortable and awake throughout. Sedation options are available for anxious patients.
A small incision exposes the bone. Graft material and a protective collagen membrane are placed, then the area is sutured closed.
Over three to six months, your body generates new bone around the graft. Follow-up appointments monitor your progress with X-rays.
Graft Materials
Different situations call for different graft materials. Your dentist will recommend the most suitable option based on the size and location of the bone defect.
Bone harvested from another area of your own body — typically the chin or jaw. Offers excellent compatibility as it uses your natural bone tissue. Requires a second surgical site.
Processed bone from a licensed human donor bank. Rigorously prepared for safe integration. Avoids a second surgical site, making the procedure simpler and recovery smoother.
Animal-derived bone material, most commonly bovine (cow bone), processed for biocompatibility. Acts as an effective scaffold that encourages your body to grow new bone around it.
Lab-made bone substitutes such as hydroxyapatite or calcium phosphate. No donor tissue involved. Effective for many routine bone grafting cases and widely used in modern dentistry.
Recovery Guide
Recovery from a bone graft is manageable. Most patients return to work within a day or two. Here is a general guide to what you can expect at each stage.
Day 1–3
Immediate Recovery
Some swelling and mild discomfort are normal. Ice packs help reduce swelling. Prescribed pain medication manages any tenderness. Stick to soft, cold foods and avoid the surgical area when brushing.
Day 4–14
Early Healing
Swelling subsides. You can gradually return to a normal diet, avoiding hard or crunchy foods directly on the graft site. A follow-up visit at 7–10 days lets us check healing and remove any non-dissolving sutures.
Month 1–2
Soft Tissue Heals
The gum tissue over the graft is now fully healed. You can resume all normal eating and brushing. Beneath the surface, your body is steadily generating new bone cells around the graft material.
Month 3–4
Bone Integration Progresses
The graft material is being replaced by your own natural bone. An X-ray at this stage can assess progress. For smaller grafts, you may be approaching readiness for dental implant placement.
Month 4–6
Full Integration
The grafted area has developed sufficient bone density and volume. Your dentist will confirm with imaging that the site is ready to support a dental implant with long-term stability.
Aftercare Tips
Help Your Graft Succeed
Avoid smoking, which slows healing. Don't blow your nose forcefully for the first week. Eat protein-rich foods and stay hydrated. Attend all follow-up appointments so we can ensure everything is on track.
Medisave
Dental bone grafting is a Medisave-claimable procedure. Eligible Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can claim up to $500 from Medisave for bone graft surgery.
Claimable under Medisave
Not claimable under Medisave
Common Questions
Answers to the questions our patients ask most about dental bone grafting in Singapore.
A dental bone graft is a minor surgical procedure that rebuilds jawbone volume and density. Bone graft material is placed beneath the gum where bone is deficient. Over the following months, your body generates new bone cells around the graft, creating a strong natural foundation for dental implants or preserving bone after tooth extraction.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, so you won't feel pain during the grafting itself. Afterwards, mild discomfort and swelling are common for the first few days but are well-managed with prescribed medication. Most patients describe the recovery as more comfortable than they anticipated.
Bone graft costs vary depending on the type of graft material, the size of the defect, and the complexity of the procedure. We provide a detailed cost breakdown during your consultation so there are no surprises. Bone grafting is Medisave claimable for eligible Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expense.
Yes. Dental bone grafting is Medisave claimable for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents when the procedure is deemed medically necessary. The claimable amount depends on the complexity of the surgery as stipulated by MOH. Our team handles the entire Medisave claim process for you.
Not always. A bone graft is only necessary when there isn't enough jawbone volume to securely anchor a dental implant. This commonly occurs after prolonged tooth loss, gum disease, or trauma. A CT scan during your consultation will clearly show whether bone grafting is required for your specific situation.
Initial soft tissue recovery takes about one to two weeks. The bone graft itself needs approximately three to six months to fully integrate with your natural jawbone. Only then is the site ready for dental implant placement. Your dentist will monitor healing with follow-up X-rays and advise when you're ready for the next step.
In some cases, yes. When there is enough existing bone to achieve good initial implant stability, a minor graft can be placed around the implant simultaneously. However, if bone loss is significant, a staged approach — graft first, then implant after healing — gives the best foundation for long-term success.
Without adequate bone, a dental implant may fail to integrate and become loose or unstable. Additionally, jawbone continues to resorb over time after tooth loss — the longer you wait, the more bone is lost, which can make future implant treatment more complex and costly. Bone grafting at the right time rebuilds your foundation and preserves your options.
Signs that may indicate a bone graft needs attention include persistent or worsening pain beyond the first week, excessive swelling, pus or foul-smelling discharge, graft material becoming exposed, or fever. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact us immediately. Early intervention can often correct the issue.
Dental bone grafting is a well-established procedure performed routinely in dental clinics. Like any surgical procedure, it carries some risks — including infection, swelling, and the small possibility of graft displacement. Your dentist will explain these in detail during your consultation and take all necessary precautions to minimise risk. Proper aftercare plays an important role in a successful outcome.
Related Treatments
Bone grafting is often part of a broader treatment journey. Explore the services that work hand-in-hand with bone grafting.
The permanent tooth replacement that bone grafting prepares you for. From single tooth to full-arch restorations.
Learn More →When the upper jaw lacks bone height near the sinuses, a sinus lift creates the space and volume needed for secure implant placement.
Learn More →Not sure what you need? Start with a consultation and we'll assess your bone health and map out your options.
Book an Appointment →Visit Us
10 Anson Road, International Plaza #02-47
Singapore 079903
Phone / WhatsApp: 8980 0247
3-minute walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT
Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun & PH: Closed
Whether you need a bone graft before dental implants or want to understand your options, our team is ready to guide you through every step — from your first consultation to full recovery.