Sinus Lifts in Central TX
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What is a Sinus Lift?
For over three decades, the sinus lift has been a reliable and successful way to increase bone volume in the upper jaw. By opening up an access window into the sinus wall and gently lifting up the membrane, dentists can place bone graft material underneath which boosts both height and width of available implant areas. This technique is widely known for creating enough stable structure required to effectively insert dental implants with minimal risks involved.
Have you ever heard of a “lateral wall approach”, “hydraulic condensation” or one of the numerous other terms related to sinus lift grafts? They are merely different approaches for augmenting bone volume in the upper jaw.
How Does It Work?
Although sinus lift bone grafting is generally a simple operation, it does require extreme precision. While most patients opt for general anesthesia, those who are selected can still experience the same procedure with just local anesthetic.
To perform a sinus lift, an incision is made in the premolar or molar region to expose the jawbone. Subsequently, a small opening is created into it and the membrane lining of the sinus cavity pushed upward. To finish off this process, allogenic bone grafts (human donor bones), xenografts(animal sources), collagen and calcium phosphate mineral materials are implanted underneath that same membrane for reinforcement purposes.
Following a sinus lift bone graft, most patients experience minimal pain and swelling postoperatively. As the healing process continues for several months, the grafted bone becomes embedded in the upper jawbone of the patient. Our team then proceeds to conduct CBCT (Cone-beam computed tomography systems scan) evaluations and virtual implant planning sessions before inserting dental implants into this newly formed area of sinus bone.
If the upper jaw ridge and bottom of the sinus provide adequate bone stability for an implant, both a sinus augmentation and implant placement may be accomplished in one step. This process speeds up treatment time considerably. However, if there is inadequate bone available, then a graft must first be applied to mature over several months before implants can be placed successfully.
Who is a Candidate for a Sinus Lift?
If you meet any of the following criteria, a sinus lift may be necessary to address your needs:
- Are you missing multiple teeth in the back of your upper jaw?
- Is there an extensive absence of bone in the posterior region of your maxilla?
- Is your smile incomplete due to a congenital disability, periodontal disease or small facial structure?
- For those who have been missing upper teeth for an extended period of time and require support for dental implants, our clinic offers the best care possible.
We understand the need to restore your smile with comfortable and aesthetic solutions. Let us help you get back to smiling confidently.