Sinus Lift
Woodbridge, VA
Sinus Lift at Parkway Smiles
A sinus lift, or sinus augmentation, is a dental procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw in the area of molars and premolars. The procedure involves lifting the sinus membrane to create space for bone grafts, promoting new bone growth. This enhances the foundation for dental implants. Sinus lifts are common for individuals with bone loss or insufficient bone height in the upper jaw.
What is a Sinus Lift?
The maxillary sinuses are located behind the cheeks and above the upper teeth. These sinuses are empty spaces filled with air. Some of the roots of the upper teeth extend into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are extracted, there is usually only a thin bone wall separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. Dental implants require sufficient bone for stability. If the sinus wall is too thin, it becomes impossible to place dental implants in this area.
The success and longevity of a dental implant depend on the quality and quantity of the jawbone it is attached to. If bone loss has occurred due to injury or periodontal disease, a sinus augmentation can be performed to raise the sinus floor and promote new bone formation. This is a common procedure for patients with bone loss in the upper jaw, as it aims to grow bone in the maxillary sinus floor above the gum line. By strengthening and growing bone in this area, dental implants can be securely placed and anchored in the newly formed bone.
Am I a Candidate for a Sinus Lift Procedure?
A sinus lift may be necessary if you:
- are missing more than one tooth in the back of your jaw.
- are missing a significant amount of bone in the back of your jaw.
- are missing teeth due to a birth defect or condition.
- are missing most of the maxillary teeth, but require support for dental implants.
What Is The Process For This Surgery?
The most common sinus augmentation procedure involves making a small incision in the premolar or molar region to expose the jawbone. A small opening is then made in the bone and the sinus membrane is pushed upward. The space is filled with bone grafting material, either from the patient's own body or a cadaver. Synthetic materials can also be used. The incision is then stitched up and the healing process begins. After several months, the bone becomes part of the patient's jaw and dental implants can be inserted and stabilized in the new sinus bone.
If there is enough bone available between the upper jaw ridge and the bottom of the sinus, sinus augmentation and implant placement can be done in a single procedure. If there is not enough bone, the sinus augmentation must be done first and the graft needs time to mature, depending on the type of graft material used. Once the graft has matured, the implants can be placed. The sinus graft allows many patients to have dental implants when previously they would have had to wear loose dentures.
Parkway Smiles generally performs sinus augmentations in his office under local anesthesia. However, some patients may request oral or intravenous sedation as well.