Bone Graft and Sinus Lift in Seoul: Costs, Process and Healing
At Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, a bone graft is listed from ₩300,000–450,000 per site, a crestal sinus lift from ₩500,000, and a lateral window sinus lift from ₩1,000,000. These are added to implant fees only when a 3D scan shows too little bone. Final costs are confirmed after an in-person exam.
Key facts
- Bone graft at Lucid Dental: from ₩300,000–450,000 per site (≈US$215–320 at ₩1,400/US$).
- Crestal sinus lift: from ₩500,000; lateral window sinus lift: from ₩1,000,000.
- Grafting is only added when imaging shows insufficient bone for an implant.
- Bone grafts can take up to a year to fully mature; implants are often placed within 6–12 months (Cleveland Clinic).
- A 2023 British Dental Journal review suggests waiting at least 2 weeks before flying after a sinus lift.
- Clinic location: directly in front of Exit 3, Eonju Station (Line 9), Gangnam.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Prosthodontist and Chief Dentist at Lucid Dental Clinic. Last reviewed September 27, 2026.
How much does a bone graft cost in Seoul?
At Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, a bone graft is listed from ₩300,000 to ₩450,000 per site (about US$215–320 at roughly ₩1,400 per US$ — check today's rate). The final figure depends on how much bone is missing and which graft material is used, and it is confirmed after your exam.
Grafting is billed in addition to the implant itself. It is not a separate "package"; it is only added when your 3D scan shows there is not enough healthy bone to hold an implant securely.
How much is a sinus lift in Korea?
Lucid Dental lists two sinus lift approaches: a crestal sinus lift from ₩500,000 and a lateral window sinus lift from ₩1,000,000(about US$357 and US$714). Which one you need depends on how much bone height remains under your sinus in the upper back jaw.
| Procedure | Lucid Dental reference fee (KRW) | Approx. US$ (at ₩1,400) | Typically used when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bone graft (per site) | from ₩300,000–450,000 | ≈ $215–320 | Bone is too thin or narrow at the implant site |
| Sinus lift – crestal (internal) | from ₩500,000 | ≈ $357 | Upper molar area with a moderate shortage of bone height |
| Sinus lift – lateral window | from ₩1,000,000 | ≈ $714 | Upper molar area with a larger shortage of bone height |
| Cutan graft material (add-on) | from ₩50,000 | ≈ $36 | When your dentist recommends this material for your case |
These are reference "from" prices from the clinic's non-covered fee table. They are not quotes. Your treatment plan will list every item before anything starts. For the full implant picture, see our dental implant cost breakdown for Korea.
Why would I need a bone graft before an implant?
An implant needs enough bone around it to fuse and stay stable. After a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that spot often shrinks over time, and gum disease or long-term denture wear can speed this up.
According to Cleveland Clinic, graft materials can come from your own body (autogenous), a licensed human donor bank (allograft), an animal source (xenograft), or a lab-made substitute (alloplast). Your dentist chooses based on the size of the defect and your health history.
What is the difference between a crestal and a window sinus lift?
Both raise the floor of the maxillary sinus so there is room for bone under it. They differ in how the dentist reaches the sinus.
- Crestal (internal) lift: done through the same small opening prepared for the implant. It is usually chosen when only a few millimetres of extra height are needed, and the implant can often be placed at the same visit.
- Lateral window lift: a small opening is made on the side of the upper jaw to lift the sinus membrane and pack in graft material. It is used when much more height is needed. In some cases the implant goes in at the same time; in others it is placed after the graft heals.
How long does healing take after grafting?
Early soft-tissue healing typically takes about a week, but bone maturation takes months. Cleveland Clinic notes a graft can take up to a year to fully heal and that implants are often placed within 6–12 months of grafting. Smaller grafts placed at the same time as the implant may simply extend the usual implant healing period.
What does the treatment process look like at Lucid Dental?
- Send records (optional): share recent X-rays or CT images through our online consultation so we can give a preliminary view.
- In-person exam and 3D imaging: bone height and width are measured, and the need for grafting is confirmed.
- Written plan and fee estimate: you receive an itemized plan in English before you agree to anything.
- Surgery day: local anesthesia is used; conscious sedation is available for anxious patients after assessment.
- Check-up: a follow-up visit, often about 7–10 days later, to check healing and remove stitches if needed.
- Healing phase: you can usually go home during this time.
- Return visit: implant placement or the final crown, depending on your plan. Read more on how many trips an implant needs.
Can I fly home after a sinus lift?
Flying after a sinus lift needs more caution than after most dental work, because cabin pressure changes affect the sinus. A 2023 review in the British Dental Journal on dental tourism and barotrauma suggests waiting at least two weeks after a sinus lift before flying, with longer waits preferred where possible. Plan your trip dates around this, and read our guide on flying after dental treatment.
Common sinus-lift aftercare advice includes not blowing your nose hard, sneezing with your mouth open, and avoiding straws and smoking during early healing. Your dentist will give you written instructions for your case.
What are the risks?
Like any oral surgery, grafting carries risks such as infection, bleeding, swelling, and, less commonly, nerve irritation or sinus membrane issues. Cleveland Clinic notes graft failure is more likely in people who smoke or have certain medical conditions. Tell us about diabetes, smoking, blood thinners, or osteoporosis medicines during your consultation. Individual results vary; a consultation and exam are required.
Who performs grafting at Lucid Dental?
Implant and grafting care is led by Dr. Park Hyun-min, a certified prosthodontist who completed a clinical implant program at Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry and an advanced implant continuing-education program at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. As a prosthodontist, he plans the bone work around the final tooth you will chew with. Learn more on our dental implants in Seoul page.
Where is the clinic?
Lucid Dental Clinic is on the 3rd–4th floors of the COWAY Building, 606 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, directly in front of Exit 3 of Eonju Station on Subway Line 9. Surgery visits are usually scheduled on weekdays; ask about late appointments on Tuesday to Thursday (open until 20:30). Visiting from overseas? Start with our international patients guide.
Book a consultation
Not sure if you need a graft? Send your X-rays or CT scan and a short description on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975, or message us to book a consultation. We will reply in English with next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bone graft painful?
The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so you should feel pressure rather than sharp pain. Swelling and soreness for a few days afterward are common and are usually managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relief. Conscious sedation is available at Lucid Dental for anxious patients after assessment.
Can I get an implant on the same day as a bone graft?
Sometimes. When the bone shortage is small, a graft or crestal sinus lift can often be done at the same visit as implant placement. Larger defects may need to heal for several months first. Your dentist decides after reviewing your 3D scan.
Does Korean national health insurance cover bone grafts?
Bone grafts and sinus lifts for implants are listed as non-covered fees at Lucid Dental, so plan to pay privately. Enrolled NHIS members aged 65 and over may have partial implant coverage under separate rules; confirm your eligibility with NHIS and at your consultation.
Can I send my CT scan before traveling to Seoul?
Yes. You can send recent X-rays or CT images on WhatsApp for a preliminary opinion. A final plan still requires an in-person exam and imaging at the clinic, because bone measurements need to be confirmed.
How many days should I stay in Seoul after a sinus lift?
Plan to stay long enough for a check-up about 7–10 days after surgery, and allow extra time before flying. Published guidance suggests waiting at least two weeks before air travel after a sinus lift, so many overseas patients plan a longer first trip.
What happens if a bone graft does not take?
Graft failure is uncommon but possible, and it is more likely in people who smoke or have certain health conditions. If it happens, the area is usually allowed to heal and the graft may be repeated. Your dentist will explain options for your specific case.