Sinus Lift
Phoenix, AZ
Dental implants are fast becoming the treatment option of choice when it comes to replacing missing teeth. However, in order for them to be placed successfully, you need to have a sufficient amount of bone mass in your jaw. Otherwise, they are likely to fail. For teeth in the upper back portions of your jaw, you could be faced with an additional issue: the implants are likely to pierce right into your maxillary sinus cavities. With a sinus lift procedure at Implant and Periodontal Wellness Center of Arizona, we can restore bone mass and allow for dental implants.
What Is a Sinus Lift?
Your maxillary sinuses are located just behind your cheeks, right above your upper teeth. The roots of some of your natural teeth reach up toward the cavities, and when they are lost, or removed, there is only a thin layer of bone separating the jaw from the cavity.
For the implants to fuse properly, they need a bone. Not to mention, the implant itself could pierce right through the sinus cavity. A sinus lift is a common procedure done for patients receiving implants in the upper jaw. It raises (“lifts”) the floor of the sinus cavity, and fills the space with bone, or other material, via a bone graft.
Types of Bone Graft
There are a few different types of bone graft that can be used for your sinus lift procedure:| • |
Autogenous, which uses bone from your body.
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Allogenic, which uses bone from a donor.
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Xenogenic, which uses bone from a different species. The bone is processed at high temperatures to help minimize infection and rejection of the implant.
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Synthetic bone materials. |
Your options will be discussed with you during your consultation. We discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each type of graft and determine which one will be the best choice for your specific needs.
How Is the Sinus Lift Performed?
The sinus lift surgery starts with a small incision in the gum tissue, near the molar or premolar region, to expose the bone. Next, an incision is made in the jawbone. The lining of the sinus cavity is pushed upward. The space is then filled with bone graft material (either your own, from a donor, or a synthetic material). After the bone material is placed, we stitch your gums closed.
Healing from a sinus lift surgery can take upwards of several months. During this time, your bone fuses with or around the bone graft material, creating a strong base in which an implant can be placed. After you have fully healed, you can then begin the implant process.
Who Is a Candidate?
You may need a sinus lift if:| • |
You are missing multiple teeth in the back of your upper jaw.
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You have lost a significant amount of bone in the back of your upper jaw.
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You are missing most of your maxillary teeth, and require support for implants. |
With a sinus lift, dental implants can successfully be placed in the upper back regions of your mouth, allowing you to reap all of the benefits that implants have to offer. To learn more about the sinus lift and find out if it’s right for you, call Implant and Periodontal Wellness Center of Arizona at (480) 504-0506 today. |
