It’s not unusual for your oral surgeon to tell you that you might need preparatory work done before you can have dental implant surgery performed. After all, you need a strong, healthy jawbone to support your implant posts! One type of preliminary treatment that might be suggested is a sinus lift. Not everyone will need to have a sinus lift in Alexandria, but for many patients, it could be an extremely important first step to getting new teeth.
What is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is a procedure that is specifically meant to help rebuild bone in the upper jaw near the back of the mouth. This is usually necessary due to the bone loss that occurs when the jaw is no longer receiving stimulation from the natural teeth. Additionally, the treatment also moves the sinus cavity away from the area where dental implants will need to be inserted. This helps ensure that the posts won’t accidentally extend into the cavity and cause unnecessary damage.
When is a Sinus Lift Needed?
You might be a candidate for a sinus lift if you’re getting dental implants near the back of your upper arch. Common reasons for needing a sinus lift include:
- A sinus cavity that is naturally too close to the upper jaw
- Excessive bone loss due to tooth loss or gum disease
- Birth defects or other conditions that can cause you to have less bone structure than usual
Since the back of the mouth tends to have less bone to begin with, it is very common to need a sinus lift before getting dental implants in that area. Of course, the only way to know for sure is to schedule a consultation with a trained oral surgeon in Alexandria who can take the necessary X-rays to determine whether or not you need preliminary work before getting implants.
The Sinus Lift Procedure
As with any kind of oral surgery, the first step of a sinus lift is to numb your mouth to keep you comfortable. Then, your gum tissue is opened to expose the bone underneath. The oral surgeon then cuts a small circle in the bone. The bony piece is gently lifted, and the hole is filled with the bone graft material. Then the gums are closed so that the healing process can begin.
Over time, the grafting material will merge with the existing bone. Depending on your body’s natural healing abilities, it can take your mouth anywhere between 4 and 12 months to fully recover from the treatment; once it does, your oral surgeon can place your implants.
Are you thinking about getting dental implants to replace your molars? Get in touch with your oral surgeon today; they’ll be able to determine whether implants are truly right for your smile as well as whether you’ll need a sinus lift beforehand.
About the Practice
Here at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery, we have multiple board-certified oral surgeons under a single roof. All of our oral health experts enjoy helping patients restore their smiles so that they can enjoy healthier, more confident lifestyles. In addition to dental implants, we also offer sinus lifts and other procedures that can prepare your jaw to support implant posts. To schedule an appointment at our Alexandria office, visit our website or call (571) 777-6501.