Prior to getting dental implants, you may need to undergo certain preliminary treatments. In particular, a sinus lift could be required if you are missing teeth in a specific part of your upper jaw. What exactly does this procedure involve? And why might it be a necessary step for rebuilding your smile? Finding the answers to these questions can help ensure that you’re properly prepared for your treatment.
What Exactly is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is similar to bone grafting. It involves applying grafting material to the jaw in order to increase bone density. However, a sinus lift requires an extra step: the floor of the sinus membrane is gently lifted up in order to make room for the new bone.
Why is a Sinus Lift Sometimes Required Before Dental Implants?
If you have lost the teeth near the back of your upper jaw, there’s a chance that having a sinus lift performed could be a necessary step for getting dental implants. This is due in part to the fact that the back of the upper jaw tends to have lower levels of bone density. Consequently, there often isn’t enough bone present in this area for dental implants to be placed. This is especially the case for patients who have already experienced bone loss as a result of losing their natural teeth.
Furthermore, the sinus cavity is often located very close to the upper jaw. If it happens to be too close, there may not be enough room to insert the implant posts without damaging the sinuses.
A sinus lift helps address both of these problems. Not only is the necessary bone height added to the upper jaw, but the sinus cavity is moved away from the intended surgical site so that the implant posts can be placed safely.
What Does the Sinus Lift Procedure Involve?
The bone tissue used for a sinus lift will typically be taken from elsewhere in your body, such as your hip or your leg. Depending on the circumstances, it could also come from a separate human or animal donor, or synthetic grafting material could be used instead.
During your sinus lift, a small opening will be made in your gums, and a window will be created in the upper jawbone. Through this window, the floor of the sinus cavity will be lifted gently upward. Then the now-empty space below the sinus cavity will be filled with the chosen grafting material.
At the end of the procedure, the gums will be sutured shut. After that, you’ll simply need to wait for your mouth to heal. Generally speaking, it may take around 4 to 9 months for your jaw to reach the point where dental implants can be placed.
Do you need a sinus lift before you can be considered a candidate for dental implants? The only way to find out for sure is to schedule an initial dental implant consultation with your dentist.
About the Practice
At Burncoat Family Dental, our dental experts have been helping Worcester residents enjoy healthier smiles for more than 50 years. Our current team offers a wide range of services, including in-office dental implant placement performed with the help of the latest treatment planning technology. To schedule a consultation at our office, visit our website or call (508) 852-0168.