When a Sinus Lift is Necessary
Normally, bone tissue around the sinuses is strong enough to serve as a foundation for dental implants. However, when a patient loses a tooth and does not replace it with a dental implant, the jaw bone will begin to deteriorate. Patients that need more bone available in the upper jaw to support dental implants may need to undergo a sinus lift. The procedure adds bone to the upper jaw and can be performed by a skilled specialist. Dr. Park uses Piezotome® technology to perform this procedure with a high degree of accuracy and precision. When you are getting dental implants, we can prepare the site for optimal dental implant placement with a sinus augmentation procedure. Making sure there is enough bone available to support dental implants increases the success rate and reduces the risk of problems with your implants as you age.
Reasons To Undergo A Sinus Lift
We understand that the idea of undergoing surgery before getting dental implants can be daunting. However, a sinus lift could be the only way to ensure you have adequate jaw bone support for an implant.
A sinus lift may be part of your treatment plan for the following reasons:
- Missing teeth from periodontal disease
- Sinuses too close together for dental implant placement
- Not enough bone available in the upper jaw for dental implants
How the Sinus Lift is Performed
The sinus lift is performed by making a small incision in the gum tissue on the inside of the cheeks or upper jaw area where dental implants will be placed. We can then expose the jaw bone and create a movable section of bone that is moved into the sinus cavity. The bone and sinus membrane attached to it will lift the sinus floor which in turn creates empty space underneath for bone grafting material. The final result is a secure foundation of bone tissue for dental implants.