What to Expect During a Sinus Lift

If you have missing teeth that you need replaced, you might be interested in receiving dental implants in Huntington Beach; after all, they’re in a class of their own when it comes to restoring those lost pearly whites. But in some cases, patients need a little preparatory dental work done prior to getting implants. Common procedures include things like bone grafts, periodontal therapy, and tooth extraction—but one you might be unfamiliar with is a sinus lift. Here’s more from your dentist about this procedure and how it can help to prepare your mouth for successfully integrating dental implants.

Sinus Lifts: What They Are & Why They’re Sometimes Necessary

A sinus lift is a surgical procedure which grafts bone to the upper jaw at the position of the molar and premolar teeth. The maxillary sinus membrane, which sits very close to your teeth, is lifted upwards to make space for additional bone. This type of sinus augmentation is necessary when a patient has insufficient bone in their upper jaw to accommodate dental implants. Since dental implants fuse with the jawbone and fully replicate the entire structure of lost teeth, it’s imperative that the jawbone is able to support them in the long run. Sinus lift surgery is also useful for patients who have sustained jawbone damage, suffered bone loss due to periodontitis, or those with a naturally large sinus cavity or thin jawbone.

What to Expect During a Sinus Lift

Your dentist will first have to perform a detailed examination of your mouth to confirm that the procedure can safely be performed; patients with optimal oral health are ideal candidates. This examination includes X-rays and perhaps CT scans in order for your dentist to gain an accurate assessment of the condition of your jaw. They will also have to determine where the grafted bone needs to be sourced from. It can come from a number of different places including your own body, a donated cadaver, cow bone, or even synthetic material, all of which are safe and sanitary options.

There are various ways to carry out the procedure, but it typically begins with an incision in the gum to expose the bone underneath. A small “window” is then cut into the bone and pushed up to reveal the sinus cavity. The cavity membrane is then lifted and the space below is filled with the borrow bone graft material. Finally, the gum tissue is stitched back together for the healing process to begin, which typically takes 7 – 10 days before the stitches can be removed. You might experience discomfort during this time, including bleeding from your mouth or nose and swelling in the affected area. You’ll also have to follow some additional precautionary guidelines for the next few weeks.

Sinus lifts are far more common than you think, and for a good reason—the procedure is certain to set up your dental implants for lasting success.

About the Practice

The team at Huntington Beach Periodontics & Dental Implants is honored to serve patients and families in the area under the leadership of Dr. Justin Braga. Dr. Braga received his dental doctorate from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco and has over 15 years of experience in a wide variety of fields, including dental implant placement. If you have any questions about the article, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Braga through his practice’s website or over the phone: (714) 587-9084.