Why Do I Need a Sinus Lift?

If you have lost a tooth or multiple teeth around the area of your sinuses, there is a good chance that bone has deteriorated to the point it can no longer support a dental implant. In other cases, this bone may simply be naturally deficient and unable to support an implant. Fortunately, this issue can be resolved by performing a sinus lift, an outpatient procedure that is very safe and has a very high success rate for patients wanting dental implants.

What Happens During a Sinus Lift?

The first step in the sinus lift procedure is an initial examination, which will include a CT scan and X-rays to determine whether the bone is deficient and where, and to gather information on structures such as blood vessels and nerves to avoid during surgery. Gathering this information is essential to ensuring you have a safe, painless, and effective procedure.

On the day of the procedure, your periodontist will begin by administering a local anesthetic, which will prevent you from experiencing pain while the procedure is performed. Patients who have dental phobia or difficulty sitting still in a chair for extended periods of time may want to ask about dental sedation options, which can help you relax, and in some cases even forget the procedure even happened!

Once you are comfortable, the underlying jawbone is exposed by making a small incision in the gums. Next, a window is cut into your jawbone and the membrane is pushed upwards, allowing for space to place the grafting material. Once positioned, your gums are sewn shut and the procedure is complete.

Your periodontist will then go over aftercare instructions with you to ensure you avoid complications, answer any questions you may have, and schedule a follow-up appointment. It will take several months for the bone graft to regenerate enough bone, so you will have to continue scheduling appointments until your periodontist is certain you are ready for placement of the implant. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to speed this process up, however it is important to continue practicing good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice daily, flossing regularly, avoiding tobacco products as well as food and beverages high in sugar and/or starch. This is especially important if the reason the sinus lift procedure was necessary was due to advanced gum disease.

Is a Sinus Lift/Dental Implants Right for Me?

The process of having a sinus lift performed in addition to having dental implants placed is an undertaking, one that can take several months or over one year to complete. Whether this procedure is right for you ultimately depends on how much you value having an aesthetically pleasing smile, not having to restrict what kind of foods you can eat, and having good overall oral health. If these things are important to you but you still have concerns about the cost of the procedure or whether or not it will be too painful, schedule an appointment with your periodontist who can address your concerns and help you decide on a treatment plan that is right for you.

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