Garden Island Dental
Bone Grafting and Sinus Lifts
Making Dental Implants Possible

If you've been told you don't have enough bone for a dental implant, grafting may be the solution you need.

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Bone Grafting and Sinus Lifts in Lihue

man playing guitar while woman smiling on Kauai beachDo you have missing teeth but have been told you don't have enough bone in your jaw to get a dental implant? It can be disappointing to find that the tooth replacement solution you've been hoping for might not be possible.

The good news? At Garden Island Dental, insufficient bone density doesn’t have to be the end of your implant experience. Dr. Godla offers advanced bone grafting and sinus lift procedures that can create the strong foundation your implants need for long-term success.

Bone Grafting for Successful Implant Placement

Dental implants require adequate bone density to integrate properly and provide stable, long-lasting results. When you lose teeth, the surrounding jawbone begins to deteriorate from a lack of stimulation.

Over time, this bone loss can make traditional implant placement challenging or impossible without additional procedures. Dental bone grafting in Lihue, HI, involves adding bone material to areas of low density, which encourages your body to regenerate healthy bone tissue.

Benefits of Bone Grafting

These advanced procedures don't just make implants possible; they provide benefits that extend far beyond simple tooth replacement.
Improve Implant Stability
Bone grafting creates the dense, healthy bone foundation essential for successful implant integration and ensures your new teeth function naturally and last for decades with proper care.
Prevent Further Bone Loss
By restoring adequate bone volume, grafting procedures halt the progressive deterioration that occurs with missing teeth, thereby preserving your jaw's long-term structural integrity.
Preserve Facial Contours
Rebuilding lost bone volume helps maintain proper facial support and prevents the sunken appearance that can develop when significant bone loss changes your facial structure over time.
  • Dr. Chris Godla

    Education and Experience

    Dr. Chris Godla brings over a decade of dental experience to our team, combining a strong academic foundation with a genuine passion for patient care. After earning his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame in 2009, he pursued his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Pittsburgh in 2013, followed by advanced training through an AEGD (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) program at Lutheran Medical Center in 2014.

    Dr. Godla began his dental career in 2013 at a public health center in Keaau, Hawaii, ...

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What to Expect with Dental Bone Grafting

bone graftingDuring your initial visit, Dr. Godla evaluates your jawbone density using advanced imaging technology. He will explain what type of grafting procedure he recommends and what you can expect throughout the process.

Bone Grafting Procedure — During the bone grafting procedure, Dr. Godla places bone material in areas where natural bone has been lost. Most patients experience minimal discomfort, and healing typically takes several months as the body integrates the graft and generates new bone.

Sinus Lift Procedure — For sinus lifts, Dr. Godla expertly places the material beneath the sinus membrane to increase bone height for upper jaw implants. Healing takes several months before we can proceed with implant placement.

Socket Preservation — If you need a tooth extraction, socket preservation places bone material in the empty socket immediately after removal. This step prevents bone loss and maintains the site's dimensions for future implant placement. 

Throughout healing, Dr. Godla and our team monitor your progress carefully to ensure proper healing and address any questions or concerns. Once healing is complete, you'll be ready for implant placement and the final restoration that completes your smile transformation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most patients are pleasantly surprised to find that bone grafting is much more comfortable than they expected. Dr. Godla uses advanced techniques and effective anesthesia to ensure you feel minimal discomfort during the procedure. Any post-operative soreness is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain medication.

What to Expect with Bone Grafting

For most people, the anticipation is worse than the actual experience. During the procedure, you'll be completely numb and comfortable. Most people describe feeling pressure rather than pain, similar to having a tooth filled.

During the Procedure

  • Complete numbness with local anesthesia
  • Minimal discomfort—mainly just pressure sensations
  • Reduced tissue trauma with Dr. Godla's gentle technique
  • An efficient procedure, typically completed in under an hour

After Your Bone Graft

  • Expect some swelling and mild soreness for 2–3 days
  • Easily manage discomfort with ibuprofen
  • Use ice packs to help reduce swelling
  • Eat soft foods for the first few days while you heal

Setting Realistic Expectations

Everyone's different, but most people return to work the next day and feel back to normal in a week or less. Dr. Godla believes in setting honest expectations upfront, so you know exactly what to expect.

Ready to discuss your bone grafting options in a comfortable, no-pressure consultation? Dr. Chris Godla welcomes patients from Lihue, Kapaa, Koloa, Kalaheo, Princeville, and Waimea. Call today to learn more!

Don't Let Bone Loss Limit Your Options

If you've been told you're not a candidate for dental implants, or if you're concerned about your bone density, don't give up on your dream of a complete, functional smile.

Call us today at (808) 245-3582 to schedule your consultation and learn how bone grafting can pave the way for successful dental implants. Dr. Godla is pleased to help patients throughout Lihue, Kapaa, Koloa, Kalaheo, Princeville, and Waimea achieve the stable, confident smiles they deserve.

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