A dental implants procedure is one of the most effective tooth replacement options you can get. A dental implant is a titanium-made surgical fixture inserted into the jawbone and left to fuse with the bone over time to replace one or more missing teeth. It serves as a tooth root replacement on which the artificial tooth (crown) goes; however, they require a healthy and robust jawbone for effectiveness. Sometimes your jawbone might not be fit enough to receive implants. Therefore, you must augment it through a sinus lift procedure for a complete smile.
A sinus lift, also known as sinus augmentation or a sinus graft, is the augmentation or lifting of the maxillary sinus to make more room for new bone. There are two large maxillary sinuses, and they are air-filled cavities lined with cells that produce mucus located above the back of the maxilla (upper jaw). To get dental implants, you must have enough healthy jawbone. Without this, your dental implants will not be adequately secured and can not perform essential tasks like chewing. Lifting the sinus and grafting bone between gives a makeover dentist in 08852 more bone to place implants.
You might have experienced bone loss in your jaw due to congenital disabilities, cancer, periodontal diseases, natural variation (naturally large sinus cavities or thin jawbones), tooth loss, etc. If you have less than 4 to 6 millimeters of bone height in the back portion of your jaw, your jawbone might be considered inadequate to receive dental implants. However, you do not need to worry about your insufficient jawbone ruining your chances of getting dental implants because you can get adequate jawbone through a sinus lift procedure at Brunswick smiles.
What To Expect Before A Sinus Lift Procedure
After lifting the sinus, your dentist will place a bone to augment your jawbone and make it adequate. However, where does that bone come from? The bones used in a sinus lift surgery can come from other areas of your own body, a synthetic bone-like material, from a compatible animal (xenograft), or a cadaver (allogenic bone). After identifying a bone source, a Monmouth Junction dentist will carefully study your jaw and sinus, take measurements, and begin the sinus lift procedure.
Sinus Lift Procedure
There are different approaches to a sinus lift surgery; however, a family dentist near you can determine which one is most suitable for you. The procedure is carried out at a prosthodontist or oral surgeon’s dental office. Before the procedure begins, you may be given sedatives, or local/general anesthesia may be used to numb the area. Once you are under the influence of anesthesia, your surgeon will incise the gum tissue where your back teeth used to be and expose the jawbone.
While avoiding the membranes of the sinuses, your surgeon cuts a small area of the bone. The cut portion of the bone is lifted into the sinus cavity, thereby raising the membrane. Your surgeon then applies the bone graft materials into the newly lifted area. Finally, your surgeon closes the incisions in your gums by using sutures.
Benefits Of A Sinus Lift Procedure
The following are the benefits of a sinus lift procedure:
- Replacement of bone lost to periodontal disease.
- The bone added to the upper jaw during a sinus lift procedure helps to improve the appearance of your facial structure.
- A sinus lift procedure prevents loss of teeth and further bone loss.
- It provides additional support for existing teeth.
- A sinus lift procedure aids an implant procedure. It makes you eligible to receive dental implants.
- It restores your mouth functions (chewing, speech, etc.).
- There is minimal discomfort during a sinus lift procedure.
- It increases the bone density of people who have suffered bone loss.
- A sinus augmentation procedure helps to make your jawbone stronger and healthier.