The dental implant procedure is the most effective form of tooth replacement available today. However, this treatment has some requirements that only some can meet.
For instance, in certain cases, patients looking for a dental implant in their upper jaw don’t have sufficient bone to place the implant. Fortunately, sinus lift surgery can help remedy this.
Sinus lift surgery helps create space in the upper jaw to provide the bone needed to support a dental implant. Depending on the nature of the case, multiple methods are available to perform this procedure. Regardless of the technique used, sinus lift surgery can be the answer you’re looking for on your journey to restoring your smile.
Dr. Miro and the Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists team offer sinus lift surgery to patients interested in dental implants. To learn more, read on and give us a call today.
Sinus lift surgery can be necessary for patients looking to replace a missing tooth or multiple teeth using dental implants. But what exactly is this procedure, and how do you know whether you can benefit from it? This guide explains the essentials of sinus lift surgery.
Sinus lift surgery is designed to provide the necessary bone space to place a dental implant in the upper jaw. By raising the maxillary sinus, space can be created (and sometimes, more existing bone can be exposed) so that your doctor can graft bone material and provide you with the implant.
Sinus lift surgery may be necessary because, when teeth are lost, the stimulation needed for bone growth in the jaw is also lost, resulting in the slow degradation of the jawbone. When bone loss is significant enough, a dental implant may not have the support it needs to be a viable tooth replacement solution.
The sinuses are facial cavities that create mucus and help keep the nose clear and infection-free. There are four sinuses, two above the eyes and two below on either side of the nose. The lower sinuses, known as “maxillary sinuses,” are raised with sinus lift surgery.
Depending on the nature of the case, one of two different approaches to sinus lift surgery can be used. Those approaches are:
Also known as the lateral window technique, this sinus lift surgery involves your doctor accessing the sinus area to raise it. Then, they place some bone grafting material from an external source there.
This and the dental implant procedure can be separate depending on the approach. If they are individual, the dental implant will typically be placed six months or later after the bone graft has healed.
This form of sinus lift surgery, also known as the osteotome technique, involves your doctor performing the sinus lift at the same time as the dental implant procedure. They first access the sinus floor, where they place grafting material to create the space needed for the dental implant. Then, the implant is placed.
This type of sinus lift surgery can only be performed under specific circumstances. Sufficient existing bone must still be present to support the implant.
The sinus lift procedure is optional for everyone looking to replace their missing teeth. For those who need it, though, it can be the answer they’ve sought. Some of the patients who may be able to benefit from a sinus lift procedure include the following:
Missing teeth have a long list of negative impacts on oral and overall health. For instance, they can lead to:
If you’re missing teeth in your upper jaw, sinus lift surgery may be the only way to receive the dental implant to prevent these issues.
One of the most significant effects of missing teeth is the loss of bone in the area where the tooth has been lost. Bone loss not only has the potential to make a dental implant impossible, but it can also cause a shifting of the facial structure and the appearance of premature aging.
Sinus lift surgery can provide the bone needed to support a dental implant. The implant can stimulate bone growth in the jaw and prevent the other side effects of bone loss.
Of all the ways missing teeth can impact our physical health, their negative effect on our mental health may be the most significant. It can be challenging to go through your everyday life feeling self-conscious every time you flash a smile. With the help of sinus lift surgery and implant placement, you can restore your smile and regain your self-confidence.
Sinus lift surgery can help you get the tooth replacement procedure you need to improve your life, but you don’t want to put your treatment in the hands of just anyone. Here are a few reasons why Dr. Miro and the Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists team are a great choice.
The team at Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists comes with decades of combined experience. This means we have the knowledge, insight, and expertise to ensure your procedure is as comfortable and effective as possible.
The Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists team uses the latest technology for sinus lift surgery, making it faster, easier, more comfortable, and more effective than ever before.
Personalized, compassionate care can make any procedure easier. That’s why we make it a priority at our practice. When you choose us for your sinus lift surgery, you can be confident that you’re in good hands and your voice will be heard.
You know what it’s designed to do and what it offers, but you may still be wondering exactly how sinus surgery works. This step-by-step guide will help you learn all of that and more.
Before you undergo a sinus lift procedure, you must come in for an initial consultation. At this appointment, your doctor will speak with you about your medical history, perform an examination, and work to determine whether you’re a viable candidate for the procedure.
If your doctor determines that sinus lift surgery would be helpful for you, you can schedule a date for the procedure. They will then give you a set of instructions for pre-operative preparation. You should follow each step exactly as it is laid out.
Before the procedure begins, your doctor will provide you with a local anesthetic and potentially a form of sedation. If the case is incredibly complex, general anesthesia may be necessary. This will help you to feel as comfortable as possible.
During the procedure, your doctor will take one of two approaches to the sinus lift. They will access your jawbone through the gum using the lateral window technique. Then, through that, they will access your sinus, where they will work to raise the sinus floor and add the bone grafting material beneath it.
If your doctor uses the osteotome technique, they will move the sinus floor up internally with the help of an osteotome instrument. From there, they will add the bone grafting material before placing the dental implant in the same procedure.
Sinus lift surgery generally takes between forty-five minutes and two hours. Once your procedure is complete, your doctor will provide you with post-operative instructions.
Sinus lift recovery will vary slightly based on the specifics of the case. Still, you can generally anticipate seven to ten days for immediate recovery and around three to six months for a full recovery. Following your doctor’s post-operative instructions is critical for minimizing recovery time and maximizing your comfort during this period.
Expect to be advised to do things such as avoid exercise and other strenuous activities for at least the first week, eat soft foods, and use antiseptic mouthwashes. These actions can all help your healing move along at a speedy pace.
Opting for sinus lift surgery offers a variety of fantastic benefits, including the following:
There are instances where sinus lift surgery is necessary for those looking to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant. This procedure can provide you with the bone you need to support your implant and restore your smile.
When a tooth is lost, the only way to regain the stimulation required for jawbone growth is through a dental implant. Sinus lift surgery can make that dental implant possible.
If your missing tooth damages your self-esteem, sinus lift surgery, and implant placement can be the answer. It can help you restore your smile and regain your self-confidence.
This question can only be answered by you and you alone. However, when you weigh the cost of a sinus lift surgery against the expenses you’re likely to incur by continuing to live with a missing tooth or teeth, it can be argued that the procedure is well worth it. You’ll protect your oral health, restore your smile, and avoid serious complications.
Sinus lift surgery can be the difference between going through life with a missing tooth and receiving the dental implant you need. It works to provide you with enough bone mass in your upper jaw to receive a tooth replacement. That replacement can help you avoid further bone loss, prevent oral health issues, and restore your smile.
When you’re ready to prioritize your oral health, contact Dr. Miro and the Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists team today by calling 404-321-4588 or scheduling an online appointment.