If you’ve heard of dental implants, you probably know that they’re considered the gold standard for replacing missing teeth and restoring a patient’s overall quality of life. But did you know that not everyone is immediately eligible for implants? In some instances, a preliminary procedure such as a sinus lift might be necessary beforehand. Here’s more from your trusted dentist about this procedure and how it can help to prepare your mouth for successfully hosting dental implants.
What Is a Sinus Lift?
To understand what a sinus lift is, you must first understand why it’s sometimes needed. In order for patients to be able to integrate dental implants, they must have a sufficient amount of bone density in their jaw to support the posts. Since the implants fuse with the jawbone and fully replicate the entire structure of lost teeth, it’s imperative that the jaw can support them in the long run. This is where certain preparatory procedures, like sinus lifts, come in handy.
This type of procedure is most helpful when a patient needs to replace upper back teeth but lacks adequate bone matter in their upperjaw, to the point where they’d be unable to support implants. This is often a result of tooth loss that’s led to bone resorption. Sinus lift surgery is also beneficial for patients who have sustained severe jawbone damage, suffered massive bone loss due to periodontitis, had a cyst or tumor in the area removed, or those with a naturally large sinus cavity.
What Does the Sinus Lift Process Look Like?
Basically, your dentist will need to lift the sinus floor to create enough room and support for a dental implant. This area can sometimes be raised, but in some cases, a separate graft is needed for producing what’s called an anchor (which will support the implant). The future dental implant won’t be stable if the sinus floor is too shallow and doesn’t provide room for this anchor.
The procedure involves grafting borrowed or synthetic bone material to the upper jaw. The maxillary sinus membrane, which sits very close to your teeth, is lifted upwards to make space for the additional bone matter. The cavity is filled with graft material before the gum tissue is stitched back up. The recovery process will vary, and it usually takes a few months to fully heal. You might experience some discomfort during this time, including bleeding from your mouth or nose and swelling in the affected area—but it can effectively be managed with at-home remedies and by carefully following your dentist’s instructions.
About the Practice
The talented team at Smile Rejuvenations of Southwest Florida is excited to offer an exceptional level of dental care to patients and families in the Bonita Springs area. If you have any questions about the blog or you need to schedule a dental implant consultation for you or a loved one, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (239) 990-3261.