Sinus lifts and dental implants are a common pair of surgical procedures, sometimes carried out simultaneously, sometimes executed separately. At Downtown Dental in Los Angeles, our team offers these advanced restorations for qualified patients seeking to replace missing teeth permanently.
How a Sinus Lift Works
A sinus lift is intended to increase the amount of bone and height in the upper jaw so there is a stable foundation and room for dental implants. Patients who have insufficient bone density typically need to undergo this procedure before missing teeth and roots can be replaced.
- A sinus lift adds bone to the upper jaw where the sinuses are located, near the molars and premolars.
- The sinus membrane is repositioned, and bone material is grafted to the area.
- The sinus lift increases bone volume so an implant can be securely put in place.
- This surgery takes approximately two hours and often requires weeks if not months of healing time.
Reasons for a Sinus Lift
To be a good candidate for dental implants, the patient must have enough bone density in the right area, so the implant has a location to bond to. Enter the sinus lift, a viable solution for people who have the following problems:
- Tooth loss in the upper jaw: The upper back jaw is a common tooth loss area, and if left toothless for too long, the bone degrades over time. Lost bone can be restored with a sinus lift, making it possible to place dental implants securely.
- Gum disease: Tooth loss and bone loss are often caused by gum disease, also known as periodontitis. Once this infection is cleaned up, a sinus lift procedure can be done to restore lost bone and make dental implants a viable replacement for missing teeth.
- Reabsorption: The body will sometimes reabsorb surrounding bone when teeth are lost, but this doesn’t mean implants are completely off the table. The sinus lift procedure restores essential bone and creates the opportunity for secure tooth restoration.
The Sinus Lift with Implants Procedure
Every dentist will conduct the sinus lift oral surgery in an appropriate way for each unique patient, but in general, you can expect the following steps:
- An incision is made in the gums where the back teeth used to be.
- Space is cut in the jawbone and sinus membrane.
- Bone graft material is placed into the space.
- A dental implant is placed on top of the graft.
- The sinus membrane is repositioned.
- Soft tissue is sutured shut.
The extra bone needed for a sinus lift will either come from the patient’s jawbone, another area of the body, a cadaver, or synthetic bone.
Ideally, the dental implant can be placed at the same time as the sinus lift, but some patients will need several months to a year for the area to heal and the bone graft to mesh fully with existing bone.
Whether you need only one surgery or two, your dentist has determined the best course of treatment for your oral health. Healing completely is more important than fixing the appearance of your smile immediately.
Are You a Good Candidate for a Sinus Lift?
When you are ready to have missing teeth replaced, go into the transformation with patience. You may need a sinus lift if your upper jaw has lost height and there isn’t enough space to place dental implants. Even if you don’t need a sinus lift or bone graft, it will take time to restore your smile with dental implants.
Above all, prioritize conversations with the team at Downtown Dental so you know exactly what to expect from your smile makeover, timeline, budget, and oral surgery. If you are tired of living with an incomplete smile, contact us to schedule a consultation.
