Sinus Lift

Tooth loss is an issue that affects your entire life. Dental implants have quickly become the most popular treatment for replacing missing teeth. This particular treatment uses small titanium posts to support your replacement teeth. The posts need to be surgically placed in your jawbone. Once there, the bone then fuses to the posts, turning them into strong, stable support for your new teeth. For the implants to be successful, you need to have sufficient bone mass remaining in your jaw. Too little bone mass can lead to loose implants or implant failure. In the upper jaw, too little bone mass can also have serious consequences for your maxillary sinus cavities. At Optimum Oral Surgery Group, we can help to increase the success of dental implants while protecting the sinus cavities with a sinus lift.

Bone Loss and Implant Stability

The teeth play many important roles in your mouth. One of these roles is helping to maintain the health of your jawbone. Every time that you chew, your teeth stimulate your jawbone. This stimulation tells your body to send essential nutrients to your jaw. Losing teeth means losing stimulation. As a result, the body begins sending fewer nutrients, and the bone begins to weaken and lose mass. The more mass that your bone loses, the weaker it becomes. The bone also begins to change shape, altering your bite as well as the shape of your face. Implants placed in bone that is too weak often do not integrate properly, which can cause them to be loose. In some cases, the posts may not integrate at all. This leads to unstable dental restorations and implant failure.

Bone loss in your upper jaw can lead to additional complications, particularly when you lose teeth toward the back of your mouth. Some of these teeth have roots that reach up to the maxillary sinus cavities. When you lose these teeth, the bone separating the jaw from the sinus cavities thins. Implants placed in these areas are not only at risk for being unstable, but they can also pierce the sinus cavities. This can lead to chronic sinus infections and other complications.

What is a Sinus Lift?

A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that uses a bone graft to restore bone mass in your upper jaw while also protecting your sinus cavities. During the procedure, incisions are made in your gums near your molars and premolars. Next, incisions are made in the bone. Specialized tools are used to lift up the floors of your sinus cavities. The bone graft material is then placed into the empty space underneath, giving greater distance between the jaw and the sinuses. After you have healed from surgery, your dental implants can be placed.

Bone Grafting for a Sinus Lift

There are a few different types of bone grafts that might be used during your sinus lift. The type of sinus lift you receive will depend upon your situation. During your initial consultation, we go over your options and determine the best option to meet your need.

A sinus lift not only strengthens your jawbone to increase the success of your dental implants, but it also protects your maxillary sinus cavities. Call Optimum Oral Surgery Group at (856) 437-4432 today for more information and to find out if a sinus lift is right for you.