Why bone augmentation is necessary
The jawbone is a living tissue that requires constant stimulation from the tooth roots in order to maintain its density and shape. If this stimulation is lost after tooth loss, a natural resorption process begins. Periodontitis or cysts can also lead to a deficit. If there is insufficient bone available for a planned implant, new volume must be created to provide sufficient support and stability for the artificial root.
At The Eram Clinic, we use the principle of guided bone regeneration. This involves inserting the body's own material or high-quality replacement material into the defect. This material serves as a guide for the body's own bone cells, which migrate into the scaffold and gradually replace it with real, living bone tissue. To allow this process to proceed undisturbed, we often cover the area with a special membrane that prevents the rapidly growing gums from invading the bone defect. Our goal is to create a biologically stable base that meets the highest functional and aesthetic standards.
Sinus lift and ridge augmentation
Depending on the location and extent of the bone deficiency, different specialised techniques are used at our Zurich clinic. In the posterior region of the upper jaw, the floor of the maxillary sinus has often sunk too low. In this case, we perform a sinus lift. This involves carefully lifting the maxillary sinus membrane and filling the resulting space with bone material. A distinction is made between an internal sinus lift for minor defects and an external sinus lift for larger reconstructions.
If the jaw ridge has become too narrow overall, we use ridge augmentation (bed optimisation) procedures to restore the width or height of the bone. At The Eram Clinic, we increasingly rely on digital 3D planning (DVT) to measure the existing bone volume with millimetre precision. This allows us to make the procedure minimally invasive and often even perform bone augmentation at the same time as implantation. This shortens the overall treatment time and minimises the burden on our patients, while at the same time guaranteeing maximum precision.
Why bone augmentation at The Eram Clinic is an excellent choice
The decision to undergo bone augmentation is an investment in the long-term durability of your dental prosthesis. Without a sufficient bone foundation, patients risk losing implants or an aesthetically unsatisfactory result due to receding gums. At The Eram Clinic, we only use materials of the highest purity and biocompatibility. Our surgeons have extensive experience in soft tissue and hard tissue surgery, which is crucial for complication-free healing. You are investing in a procedure that not only supports your teeth, but also preserves the youthful profile of your face by preventing the lips and cheeks from sinking.
Advantages of bone augmentation
- Stable implant bed: Creation of the necessary conditions for firmly fixed, long-lasting dentures.
- Aesthetic preservation: Prevention of bone loss and preservation of natural facial contours.
- State-of-the-art 3D diagnostics: Precise planning of the volume for maximum surgical safety.
- Biocompatible materials: Use of first-class replacement materials for optimal healing.
- Combination options: Often performed at the same time as implantation to save time.
| Duration of procedure | approx. 45–90 minutes |
| Healing time | approx. 4 to 9 months (depending on initial situation) |
| Materials | autologous bone, synthetic or bovine material |
| Pain-free | local anaesthesia, twilight sleep or general anaesthesia |
| Diagnostics | mandatory 3D DVT for volumetry |
Synergies for success: healing and support
The success of bone augmentation depends largely on an undisturbed healing phase. At The Eram Clinic, we provide you with close support and ensure that the tissue can regenerate optimally. In order to minimise the bacterial count in the oral cavity in advance, we strongly recommend prior professional dental hygiene. Clean conditions are the best insurance against infections of the newly inserted material.
After the procedure in our modern premises in Zurich, you will receive specific instructions on how to care for yourself. In the first few weeks, it is important to avoid putting pressure on the treated area and to refrain from smoking, as nicotine significantly impairs blood circulation in the bone. Once the new bone has healed and stabilised, it forms the perfect canvas for aesthetic enhancements such as veneers or high-quality crowns. We ensure that the foundation of your smile is as strong and healthy as your own teeth.
Procedure at The Eram Clinic
We attach great importance to honest communication about healing times and the various phases of reconstruction. Each patient receives a tailor-made schedule.
Create the basis for your most beautiful smile
Rely on surgical expertise and biological innovation. At The Eram Clinic in Zurich, we combine technological precision with exclusive patient care. Secure your consultation appointment and find out how we use modern bone augmentation to lay the foundation for your lasting dental health and radiance.
Frequently asked questions about bone augmentation
No, nowadays this is only necessary in extreme cases involving severe jaw defects. At The Eram Clinic, we usually use a combination of high-quality bone replacement material and small amounts of bone chips, which we harvest directly from the jaw area during the procedure. This is much gentler.
Thanks to modern local anaesthesia, you will not feel any pain during the procedure. Afterwards, you may experience a feeling of pressure or swelling, but this can be easily managed with cooling and mild painkillers. Most patients find bone augmentation less stressful than tooth extraction.
In many cases, simultaneous augmentation is possible. However, if bone loss is too severe, augmentation is performed first. The healing phase then usually takes 4 to 6 months until the bone is stable enough to support an implant.
As we only use biocompatible and certified materials, allergic reactions are extremely rare. Failure is usually due to circulatory disorders (e.g. caused by smoking) or infections, which is why we at The Eram Clinic place great emphasis on aftercare.
After a sinus lift, you should take care for about two weeks: Avoid blowing your nose hard or putting pressure on the maxillary sinus (e.g. by playing wind instruments or diving) so as not to strain the delicate membrane of the maxillary sinus.
