Dental Bone Graft Cost UK 2026 — What to Expect Before a Dental Implant
Dental Bone Graft Cost UK 2026 — What to Expect Before a Dental Implant
Quick answer
A minor socket preservation bone graft at the time of extraction costs £150–£400. A standalone bone augmentation graft (for significant bone deficiency) costs £400–£1,500. A sinus lift — needed for upper back implants when there is insufficient vertical bone — costs £800–£2,500 per side. Bone grafts are almost never available on the NHS for implant preparation.
Key takeaways
- Socket preservation graft at extraction: £150–£400 — worth doing to preserve bone for a future implant.
- Standalone bone graft / ridge augmentation: £400–£1,500.
- Sinus lift for upper back implants: £800–£2,500 per side.
- Bone grafts for implant purposes are not routinely available on the NHS.
- Waiting too long after extraction means more bone loss — and a more expensive graft.
If you are planning a dental implant, your dentist or implant surgeon may tell you that you don't have enough bone — either because of the natural shrinkage that occurs after a tooth is lost, or because of bone destruction from periodontal disease or infection. A bone graft rebuilds the missing volume so the implant has sufficient support to integrate and function long-term.
Types of bone graft and their costs
1. Socket preservation graft (at time of extraction)
Performed immediately after a tooth is removed, the socket is filled with graft material before suturing. This dramatically slows the natural bone resorption that occurs in the first 6 months after extraction, maintaining volume for a future implant.
| Location | Cost |
|---|---|
| UK average | £150–£400 |
| London | £200–£500 |
When: At the time of any extraction where an implant is planned. Even if implant timing is uncertain, socket preservation is usually worth the additional cost.
2. Lateral ridge augmentation / bone block graft
Used when the ridge of bone where the tooth was has already shrunk in width (horizontal deficiency). Graft material is applied to the outside of the ridge and held in place with a membrane. Healing takes 4–9 months before implant placement.
| Location | Cost |
|---|---|
| UK average | £500–£1,500 |
| London | £700–£2,000 |
3. Vertical ridge augmentation
More complex than lateral augmentation, this addresses insufficient bone height. Less commonly needed and technically demanding — typically performed by an oral surgeon or specialist implantologist.
| Location | Cost |
|---|---|
| UK average | £800–£2,500 |
| London | £1,200–£3,000 |
4. Sinus lift (maxillary sinus augmentation)
For upper back teeth (premolars and molars) where the maxillary sinus has expanded into the space left by missing teeth, reducing the vertical height of available bone. The sinus floor is gently lifted and bone graft material packed beneath it. Healing takes 6–12 months before implant placement. Two techniques exist: internal sinus lift (done through the implant socket — cheaper, less invasive) and external (lateral) sinus lift (for larger deficiencies).
| Type | UK average | London |
|---|---|---|
| Internal sinus lift | £400–£800 | £600–£1,200 |
| External (lateral) sinus lift | £800–£2,500 | £1,200–£3,000 |
Graft material types
- Autograft (own bone): Gold standard — harvested from the jaw, chin or hip. Most effective but requires a second surgical site.
- Allograft (human donor bone): Processed to remove all living cells, leaving a scaffold. Very commonly used in UK practice.
- Xenograft (animal-derived, typically bovine): Bio-Oss is the most popular brand. Widely used, well-tolerated, long-lasting resorption profile.
- Alloplastic (synthetic): Calcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite materials. No biological material — relevant for patients with religious or ethical objections to donor tissue.
Will I need a bone graft before my implant?
Your implant surgeon will assess this using a CBCT (cone-beam CT) scan (£150–£350) that shows 3D bone dimensions. You are more likely to need a graft if you:
- Have had the tooth missing for more than 12–18 months
- Lost the tooth due to advanced gum disease
- Had a large infection (dental abscess) around the root before extraction
- Are placing an implant in the upper back jaw where the sinus is close
Every graft type in one table
The four procedures above are quoted separately and often confused with each other, which makes quotes hard to compare. This is the whole picture on one row each.
| Graft type | UK average | London | When it is needed | Healing before implant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Socket preservation | £150–£400 | £250–£600 | At the time of extraction | 3–4 months |
| Lateral ridge augmentation | £500–£1,500 | £700–£2,000 | Bone too narrow | 4–6 months |
| Vertical ridge augmentation | £800–£2,500 | £1,200–£3,000 | Bone too short | 6–9 months |
| Internal sinus lift | £400–£800 | £600–£1,200 | Upper back, minor height gain | 4–6 months |
| External sinus lift | £800–£2,500 | £1,200–£3,000 | Upper back, major height gain | 6–12 months |
Private fees compiled from UK clinic price lists and 2026 market surveys. Bone grafting for implant purposes is not routinely funded by the NHS.
What the graft adds to the total implant bill
A bone graft is almost never bought on its own — it is a prerequisite, and the number that matters is what the implant costs once the graft is included. A single implant runs £2,000–£3,500 in the UK before any grafting.
| Scenario | Graft | Implant + crown | CBCT scan | Realistic total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No graft needed | — | £2,000–£3,500 | £150–£350 | £2,150–£3,850 |
| Socket preservation at extraction | £150–£400 | £2,000–£3,500 | £150–£350 | £2,300–£4,250 |
| Ridge augmentation first | £500–£1,500 | £2,000–£3,500 | £150–£350 | £2,650–£5,350 |
| External sinus lift first | £800–£2,500 | £2,000–£3,500 | £150–£350 | £2,950–£6,350 |
Extraction, if still needed, adds £150–£300 privately or falls under NHS Band 2 (£76.60). Totals assume one implant site.
The line worth acting on is the first one. Socket preservation at £150–£400, done at the moment the tooth comes out, is the cheapest graft there is — and it is the one that most often removes the need for a £500–£2,500 augmentation later. Bone loss is fastest in the first six to twelve months after an extraction, so the decision is made on the day of the extraction whether you intend it or not.
If a quote arrives without a graft line and you have been missing the tooth for over a year, ask whether a CBCT scan has been taken. Grafting discovered mid-surgery is the most common reason an implant quote moves after you have accepted it.
See our guide to dental implant costs in the UK, the true cost of dental implants and our dental implant treatment page for full implant cost breakdowns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dental bone graft cost in the UK?
A socket preservation graft costs £150–£400. A standalone bone augmentation procedure costs £400–£1,500. A sinus lift costs £800–£2,500. Central London prices are typically 30–50% higher.
Do I always need a bone graft for a dental implant?
No. Many implant patients have sufficient bone and do not need a graft. However, if you have been missing a tooth for more than 12–18 months, have had gum disease, or lost bone due to infection, a graft is likely needed.
What types of bone graft are used in UK dentistry?
The main types are: autograft (your own bone, most effective but requires a second surgical site), allograft (human donor bone — most common in the UK), xenograft (animal-derived, usually bovine — widely used) and synthetic (alloplastic — no biological material).
Is a bone graft painful?
The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, so you should feel minimal discomfort. Soreness for 3–5 days afterwards is normal; swelling and minor bruising may occur. Most patients manage with standard over-the-counter pain relief.