If you're thinking about getting dental implants, there's a good chance your dentist has mentioned the possibility of a sinus lift. You're not alone! Over one in five dental implant recipients need a nasal lift. Our team at Dental Partners of Boston knows that being told you may need bone grafts or a sinus lift for your dental implants can seem overwhelming at first. Understanding why you need them, what's involved in the procedure and what to expect from consultation to recovery is a very important part of the process. If you're looking for dental implants in Boston, read the information below on sinus lifts and if you have more questions please schedule an appointment with our dental implant specialists.
The "Sinus Floor Augmentation Procedure,” or more commonly known as a "Sinus Lift," is a technique developed to allow
dental surgeons to place dental implants when the option would otherwise be impossible. Over time the sinus bone
can thin out, which can lack the structure and strength needed for placing dental implants in the upper portion
of your mouth. A sinus lift is essentially a bone graft. While bone grafts of any kind are to be taken seriously and performed by
trusted, experienced specialists, they are a well-known procedure and generally considered to be safe and highly
effective. While all surgery carries a certain level of risk, the sinus lift has been performed all over the
world with predictable and consistent results. It is important to understand that any discomforts experienced
from a sinus lift procedure and recovery time are temporary. Being able to use dental implants, however, will
give you the freedom to consume normal healthy foods, a difference that has the potential to improve the quality
of your life and health significantly. Some of our patients have a hard time understanding why they need a bone graft surgery when they feel no discomfort
or experience no adverse effects throughout their daily routine. The upper area of your mouth requires a certain
amount of space for a molar dental implant. When that space is insufficient, a sinus lift is needed before dental
implants can be placed. The maxillary sinus grows over time, lowering and thinning out, becoming more connected
with the upper jaw bone. While this process can happen naturally, most often, the process is accelerated by missing
molars that have been absent for many years. Everyone's bone structure is different, however, if you lost some or many of your upper molars early on in your life,
you will most likely need a sinus lift to correct the bone structure. Once a tooth is lost, the bone that once
held it immediately begins to fill the space. When a tooth is absent to begin with, such as if it was removed
due to decay, overcrowding, missing due to physical trauma, the jawbone will begin to fill in the empty space
resulting in a thinner, more shallow jawbone. This isn't always a problem when the absence of a tooth is quickly
addressed. Given enough time, however, it can become complicated, if not impossible, to install a dental implant
into that section of the jawbone. When our dental experts come across this type of scenario, they often turn
to a sinus lift to provide ample surface and strength for the new dental implant so you have a solid foundation
to keep your implants for a lifetime.. It is not uncommon to be missing teeth and certainly nothing that should embarrass you to the point where you avoid
seeking professional help. You're not alone, and we are here to help you without judgment. While adults in 20-34-year-old
age group have an average of 27 original adult teeth, by the time adults reach the 50-year-old mark, there are
on average 22 original remaining teeth. Missing teeth often makes patients feel self-conscious about their smile,
more importantly, though it can also make it challenging to talk correctly and chew properly. Even some patients
avoid hard foods that causes pain when they try to consume them. The presence of the maxillary sinus in the upper back jawbone is the reason why this area is the most complicated
and challenging area to install dental implants successfully. Hollow spaces behind your upper jawbone, known
as sinuses, can affect the strength and position of that portion of the jawbone. Traditionally, teeth in the
upper back jaw have dental roots that extend into the sinus. But if these teeth fall out, the bone around them
can resorb, leaving little to no bone to anchor dental implants. The goal of sinus lift surgery is to bolster
the strength of the bone near the maxillary sinuses to create a robust and stable structure for implants. Dental
implants are only as strong as the bone used to support the titanium posts that act as your new tooth roots,
which is the cause for needing a bone grafting or a sinus lift before receiving them. Sinus lifts allow patients with deteriorated upper jaws, small jaws, or large sinuses to be eligible for dental implants.
Sinus lifts can help patients with extensive previous bone loss caused by periodontal disease, cancer treatment,
or trauma. Recovery from sinus lift surgery is straightforward, and typically involves a minimal amount of discomfort. To decide whether or not you need a sinus lift, our team of specialists will measure the bone thickness surrounding
your molar roots using a series of x-ray images. Once it is decided that a sinus lift is in your best interest
and you and your dentist agree to move forward with the procedure, your gums and jaw tissue will be numbed with
a local anesthetic. Next, a small incision will be made near where the upper dental implants will be placed.
The sinus membrane will then be lifted through the floor of the sinus. Special gels and bone graft granules are
inserted into the empty space. Once this step has been completed successfully, the gum tissue will then be sewn
shut, and the healing process will begin. It will take several months but your bodies natural healing ability
will replace the inserted material to form new and stronger bone. While the procedure has been performed for
many years and the method tried and true, new and less invasive procedures are continually evolving. Your Dental
Partners of Boston specialist will walk you through exactly how the procedure will work for your unique situation. Every patient heals differently, and some patients require more extensive work, but on average between 4-12 months
are needed for the graft and bone to heal fully. The healing process might seem slow, but it is absolutely necessary
to lay the framework for strong, dental implants. In some rare instances, sinus lifts may be performed
at the same time dental implant posts are installed, which can shorten the timeframe for receiving your final
dental implants. After you have a chance to visit with our specialists, we're confident you'll understand why our team is rated as
one of the best dental offices in Boston for nearly any procedure. Getting a sinus lift in Boston is no exception.
Come in and see the difference that exceptional skill and experience can make in a complex procedure.
Our professional and friendly staff would love to meet you and explore how we can give you the smile and oral
health that you deserve!
Do You Need A Sinus Lift?
Effects Of Lost Teeth
Understanding The Maxillary Sinus
What To Expect During A Sinus Lift
Sinus Lift Surgery Recovery
Schedule A Sinus Lift Consultation Today