Bone Grafting & Sinus Lift in Tribeca
If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone for an implant, bone grafting can rebuild that foundation.
A bone graft rebuilds jawbone that has thinned, and a sinus lift adds bone beneath the sinus floor in the upper back jaw. Both give a dental implant a secure foundation. After a tooth is lost, the jawbone around it slowly shrinks. Gum disease can do the same. An implant needs enough bone height and width to stay secure, so some patients need a graft first.
Ridge augmentation rebuilds the jaw where it has narrowed. A sinus lift adds bone under the sinus in the upper back jaw. Dr. Toscano, a Diplomate and Fellow of the ICOI, performs both.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nicholas Toscano, DDS, MS, board-certified periodontist · Updated October 2026
Is this for you?
- You’ve been told you need a bone graft before an implant
- A tooth has been missing for a while
- You’re planning implants in the upper back teeth
- You’ve lost bone from gum disease or an old extraction
- The gum and jaw look sunken where a tooth used to be
What to expect
- 01
Imaging and planning
We take detailed imaging to measure your bone and see where the sinus sits. Dr. Toscano explains whether you need a ridge augmentation, a sinus lift or neither.
- 02
Grafting visit
With the area numbed, and sedation if you’d like it, bone graft material is placed where it is needed. For a sinus lift, the sinus membrane is gently raised and the graft placed beneath it. A protective membrane may be used.
- 03
Healing
Over several months the graft becomes part of your own bone. For a sinus lift, you’ll avoid blowing your nose hard for the first days as it settles.
- 04
Implant placement
Once the bone is ready, the implant is placed. Dr. Moezinia then plans the crown so the final tooth matches your smile.
Why Empower Your Smile
Implant-focused training
Dr. Toscano is a Diplomate and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.
Foundation and finish, together
Dr. Toscano builds the bone and Dr. Moezinia designs the final tooth, so the whole implant plan is shaped around how your smile will look.
Experience you can check
He earned his DDS at Columbia, an MS at George Washington University and a periodontal certificate from the Naval Postgraduate Dental School, then served 13 years in the US Navy.
Ridge augmentation vs. sinus lift
Ridge augmentation rebuilds the width or height of the jaw ridge, the part of the bone that held your teeth. It’s used anywhere in the mouth where bone has narrowed after tooth loss.
A sinus lift is specific to the upper back jaw. The sinus sits just above the roots of the upper molars and premolars, so when bone is thin there, graft material is added beneath the sinus floor to make room for an implant.
Questions, answered
Something else on your mind? Call us at (212) 274-8338.
Why do I need a bone graft before a dental implant?
An implant needs enough healthy bone around it to stay stable. After a tooth is lost, the bone often shrinks. A graft rebuilds that support so the implant has a solid base.
How long after a bone graft can I get an implant?
Most grafts need several months to heal before an implant is placed. Sinus lifts often take four to nine months, depending on how much bone is added. In some cases a small graft and the implant can be placed at the same visit.
Is a sinus lift painful?
The procedure is done with local anesthesia, and sedation is available. Afterward, mild swelling and some congestion-like pressure for a few days is common. Most patients manage well with over-the-counter pain relief.
Where does bone graft material come from?
Graft material can come from your own bone, donor bone or a biocompatible substitute, and sometimes a mix. Dr. Toscano will recommend the option that suits your case and explain why.
Can I get an implant without a bone graft?
Yes, if you have enough healthy bone. Many patients do. Imaging at your consultation shows whether a graft is needed.
You may also consider
Dental ImplantsA missing tooth replaced with one that looks, feels and works like your own, planned with an eye for how it will sit in your smile.
Extractions & Bone PreservationWhen a tooth can’t be saved, we remove it gently and protect the bone underneath, so your options for replacing it stay open.
Gum Disease TreatmentCalm, step-by-step care that helps bring gum disease under control and protects the teeth you have, led by board-certified periodontist Dr. Nicholas Toscano.
Come say bonjour.
35A Walker Street, in the heart of Tribeca, one block south of Canal Street.
Subway: Canal St (A, C, E, N, Q, R, W, J, Z and 6) and Franklin St (1), each a few minutes on foot. Just south of SoHo, and a short walk from Hudson Square, Chinatown and City Hall.
| Mon, Tue, Thu | 8 am – 6 pm |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 9 am – 6 pm |
| Friday | 9 am – 2 pm |
| Sat – Sun | Closed |