Iliac Bone Grafting (Bone Grafting from the Hip) for the Treatment of Severe Bone Deficiency | Istanbul Beyoğlu Galata

Advanced jawbone loss can make the idea of implants feel out of reach. Because as the supporting bone decreases, the need for a “solid foundation” becomes much more apparent. That’s exactly where Iliac Bone Graft comes into play. Iliac Bone Graft is a powerful reconstruction method used to rebuild lost volume in patients with advanced bone deficiency and to prepare the necessary foundation for implants. In our clinic in Istanbul Beyoğlu Galata, Iliac Bone Graft planning is carried out on an individual basis with three-dimensional tomography, clinical examination, and surgical assessment.

Why Is Advanced Bone Deficiency Important?

The jawbone is a living tissue that supports the teeth and distributes chewing forces in a balanced way. When a tooth is lost, this load distribution is disrupted and bone resorption may begin over time. Especially in people who have been without teeth for many years, this resorption may not remain limited to “loss of width”; bone height can also decrease noticeably. In such cases, the area where the implant will be placed becomes narrower, and the amount of bone needed to carry the implant safely decreases.

In advanced bone deficiency, the issue is not only placing the implant; protecting the bone around the implant in the long term can also become more challenging. That’s why the treatment approach is not “implants right away,” but rather preparing the right foundation first and then planning the implant. When advanced cases are not planned correctly, achieving the desired outcome becomes more difficult both functionally and aesthetically. For this reason, advanced techniques such as Iliac Bone Graft become a key step of treatment for some patients.

What Is An Iliac Bone Graft?

Iliac Bone Graft is the transfer of bone tissue taken from the upper part of the hip bone (the iliac crest) to the deficient area of the jawbone. Because the tissue used is the patient’s own bone, biological compatibility is very high. The harvested bone is shaped to fit the defect area, placed in the jaw region, and most often fixed with titanium micro-screws. This fixation prevents graft movement and supports the integration process with the surrounding bone.

Standard bone graft granules may provide sufficient volume in some cases; however, patients with advanced atrophy, block-type defects, or pronounced vertical height loss may require a stronger volume gain. In such situations, Iliac Bone Graft stands out because it can target bone increase both vertically and horizontally. Hip bone grafting is an important option within advanced jaw surgery for patients who require “large-volume reconstruction.”

In Which Situations Is Iliac Bone Graft Preferred?

Iliac Bone Graft is generally considered in cases with advanced bone loss where an implant plan cannot be performed safely with the existing bone volume. For example, if the jawbone has become significantly thinner after many years without teeth, the implant site is both narrow and reduced in height. In some patients, bone loss does not occur only after tooth extraction; it can also result from larger causes such as trauma, accidents, jaw tumors, or the need for reconstruction after cancer.

In congenital conditions such as cleft lip and palate, or in jaw developmental disorders, structural deficiencies may be present in certain regions of the jaw. When these deficiencies make implant planning difficult, advanced reconstruction techniques come to the fore. In short, Iliac Bone Graft is not a “small support,” but a reconstruction of the essential foundation lost for implant placement. Therefore, the decision is made together with tomography data, soft tissue status, occlusal relationships, and an overall health assessment.

Why Is Bone Grafting Needed Before Implant Placement?

Dental implants function like a “root” within the jawbone. For an implant to remain stable in the long term, the surrounding bone must have sufficient thickness and height. If the bone is too thin, it becomes difficult to create a healthy bony envelope around the implant. If height is insufficient, the risks associated with safe implant positioning increase. Therefore, in patients with advanced bone deficiency, a pre-implant bone augmentation approach is a fundamental part of treatment.

With Iliac Bone Graft, the goal is not to place the implant “somehow,” but to create a bone foundation that will support the implant reliably for many years. Planning is crucial at this point: the number of implants, their positioning, the prosthetic design, and the distribution of chewing forces are evaluated together. In suitable patients, Iliac Bone Graft can make jaws that were previously considered unsuitable for implants appropriate for implant planning again.

Why Choose Hip Bone Grafting?

The hip bone is a donor site rich in both quantity and quality. This makes it easier to obtain the volume needed in advanced bone loss. In addition, bone harvested from the iliac region may contain both cortical (harder and more durable) and cancellous (supportive of healing biology) components. This combination can provide advantages for both volume gain and the bone integration process.

When large-volume reconstruction is required, hip bone grafting offers the possibility of obtaining sufficient bone from “a single site.” This can make planning more predictable in certain advanced cases. Of course, the same approach is not applied to every patient; while different grafting techniques may be sufficient for some, Iliac Bone Graft may be the more appropriate option for others. The determining factors are the size of the defect, the desired bone gain, and the patient’s overall clinical conditions.

How Is Iliac Bone Graft Surgery Planned?

A successful Iliac Bone Graft process does not begin in the operating room; it begins with proper planning. The first step is a detailed clinical examination and three-dimensional dental tomography assessment. On tomography, bone height, width, the boundaries of the deficiency, and the location of anatomical structures are clarified. These data determine both the reconstruction to be performed on the jaw side and the amount of graft to be harvested from the hip.

During the planning phase, the patient’s systemic health status, medications, smoking habits, and oral hygiene are evaluated. When factors that may affect healing biology are identified early, the process can be managed more safely. The treatment goal is also clarified: Is the aim only to increase bone volume, or also to facilitate the future prosthetic design? The Iliac Bone Graft plan is prepared individually according to these goals.

Surgery Day And Surgical Stages

Iliac Bone Graft surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia in fully equipped hospital conditions. The patient feels no pain during the procedure. The operation involves two main areas: the donor site (hip) and the recipient site (jaw).

In the first stage, the necessary amount of bone is harvested from the iliac crest. The harvested bone is prepared to fit the deficient area in the jaw. Then the defect site in the jaw is prepared; the graft is placed and fixed with titanium micro-screws. The aim is to create a stable environment where the graft will not move and healing can progress in a healthy way. In some cases, additional particulate grafts or biological membranes may be included in the plan to fill gaps more effectively. The entire approach is built around not only “adding bone,” but also “managing integration with bone.”

Is Hospitalization Required?

After Iliac Bone Graft performed under general anesthesia, a 1-night hospital stay is recommended for most patients. This both makes pain control more comfortable in the first hours and allows safer early monitoring of the donor and recipient sites. Most patients are discharged the next day. After discharge, rest, medication use, dietary routine, and oral hygiene recommendations directly affect healing.

The Healing Process And Key Points To Consider

Healing after Iliac Bone Graft is a biological process and requires patience. Integration of the graft with the jawbone typically matures over months. During this period, the goals are to keep the graft stable, minimize infection risk, and ensure smooth soft tissue healing. The patient’s smoking, oral hygiene, and adherence to follow-up appointments can significantly influence how the process progresses.

Once healing is complete, the newly formed bone volume is evaluated with three-dimensional tomography. This evaluation is a critical guide for the position and number of implants. In some advanced cases, the process may be planned longer; the goal here is not speed, but long-term stability and a safe implant foundation. Iliac Bone Graft can make the implant stage more predictable with proper follow-up.

Postoperative Follow-Up And Monitoring Approach

The follow-up period is one of the most important components of Iliac Bone Graft success. In the early postoperative period, healing in both the hip region and the jaw region is evaluated. In our clinic, the general approach starts with a first-day check, includes several assessments within the first week, and then secures the process with 2-week and 1-month controls. In the maturation period, 6-month and 1-year follow-ups monitor both graft preservation and the implant plan for long-term success.

When necessary, bone formation is monitored with radiological imaging. These checks are important to detect possible complications early, manage suture and soft tissue healing, and confirm graft stability. Regular follow-up also contributes to preserving the bone volume gained after Iliac Bone Graft.

When Is Dental Implant Treatment Performed?

The timing of moving on to the implant stage is determined by the maturity of the graft. In most patients, after a few months of healing, tomography is used for evaluation and the implant plan is finalized. Here, “bone quality and volume” matter as much as the “calendar.” After confirming that the graft has achieved adequate integration, implant surgery is planned.

The number and positioning of implants are considered together with the future prosthetic design. Because the goal is not only to place implants, but to achieve an outcome that meets the patient’s chewing function, speech, and aesthetic expectations in the long term. When Iliac Bone Graft provides a solid foundation, dental implant treatment can progress more safely.

Iliac Bone Graft And Advanced Jaw Surgery In Istanbul Beyoğlu Galata

In our clinic in Istanbul Beyoğlu Galata, Iliac Bone Graft is planned on an individual basis to create the necessary foundation for implants in patients with advanced bone deficiency. Every patient is evaluated after a detailed examination and three-dimensional tomography analysis. In some patients, the main cause of advanced bone loss is long-term toothlessness, while in others, losses may occur after trauma or surgery. These differences require the treatment plan to be tailored to the individual.

Many patients with advanced bone loss may have relied on removable dentures for years under the belief that “implants aren’t possible.” However, today’s modern reconstructive approaches can make implant treatment possible again in suitable patients. At this point, accurate diagnosis, proper surgical planning, and regular follow-up form the foundation of Iliac Bone Graft success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Iliac Bone Graft Painful?

Because Iliac Bone Graft is performed under general anesthesia, no pain is felt during the procedure. After surgery, however, tenderness, swelling, and a feeling of tightness may occur in both the jaw and hip regions. In most patients, these complaints can be managed with planned pain control, prescribed medications, and rest. During the healing period, the most important points are not neglecting oral hygiene, following the recommended dietary routine, and keeping up with follow-up visits.

Does Taking Bone From The Hip Affect Walking?

In the first days after hip bone grafting, a pulling sensation or tenderness may occur while walking. This is usually temporary and decreases gradually when movement is managed according to the physician’s recommendations. The hospital stay and discharge plan are already designed to manage this early period in a more controlled and comfortable way. As healing progresses, patients can return to their daily routines gradually.

Who Is Not Suitable For Iliac Bone Graft?

The decision for Iliac Bone Graft is not made solely by looking at the amount of bone in the jaw. Overall health status, certain systemic diseases, medications, smoking habits, and factors that may negatively affect healing are evaluated. In addition, if there is an active infection in the mouth or insufficient hygiene, existing problems may need to be brought under control first. The most accurate decision is made individually after tomography and clinical examination.

What Points Increase Success After Iliac Bone Graft?

• Not missing follow-up appointments and ensuring healing is monitored regularly
• Maintaining meticulous oral hygiene and following the recommended care routine
• If the patient smokes, quitting during the healing period or significantly reducing use
• Avoiding hard foods that may strain the jaw region in the first weeks and following the recommended diet plan
• Using medications and oral care products as prescribed by the physician
• Following the recommended movement/rest plan for the hip area and avoiding sudden strain

What Do Iliac Bone Graft Prices Depend On?

Iliac Bone Graft prices may vary depending on many factors such as hospital conditions for the procedure, the volume of graft required, the severity of bone loss, additional materials to be used, and the experience of the surgical team. In addition, any additional procedures planned within the same process (such as soft tissue adjustments or additional grafting needs) may affect the overall treatment plan.