Why is a Sinus Lift Needed?

Because dental implants are the best tooth replacement option, many patients desire them. Unfortunately, not everyone has the best jaw conditions to house implants. In some cases, the sinus cavities are too low so an implant cannot be placed in the jawbone beneath it. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, we are able to perform a sinus lift so that implants are an option.

Sometimes the jawbone right below the sinus cavity is not big enough to allow a dental implant to successfully be placed. When a tooth is missing for a while, the bone in the area where the tooth used to be can begin to deteriorate. In other cases, a patient may just be born with a smaller jawbone. Other times, the sinus cavity is too low. A sinus lift adds bone to the area between the upper jaw and the sinuses. This creates a jawbone big and strong enough to hold a dental implant.

The added bone not only functions as replacement bone, but it will also promote growth of the jawbone already in place. This aids the strength and size of the newly constructed jawbone. The grafting process begins with cutting the tissue where the implant will be. The bone is exposed and a small opening is created. The membrane separating the sinus cavity from the jaw is pushed up and away. The bone graft material is then packed into the space. Afterward, the area is stitched closed. The area will need several months to heal, and then dental implants are able to be placed.

To learn more about dental implants and sinus lifts, be sure to contact us. To schedule in our Philadelphia, PA office, call (215) 463-4141 or visit the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Sinus Augmentation Details

If you are considering dental implants, you must have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. If there is not enough bone height in the upper jaw or the sinuses are too close to the jaw, you may require a sinus lift. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we perform this simple procedure under certain conditions. Sinus augmentation procedures are highly predictable with studies reporting over 95% success.

A sinus augmentation increases the height of your upper jaw by filling part of your maxillary sinus with bone. When possible, the bone remaining under the sinus floor is gently “pushed up,” thus lifting the floor of the “dropped sinus.” Bone replacement materials are then placed beneath the lifted bone. The maxillary sinus is the area above your jaw on either side of your nose above the back teeth. This procedure is done when the back part of the upper jaw does not have enough bone to allow dental implants to be placed. Following sufficient healing of a sinus augmentation (6-10 months), implants are placed in a predictable and successful manner. 

To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Sinus Lift

Dental implants require adequate bone height and proper sinus positioning in order to be installed in the jawbone. For people needing preoperative treatment to restore bone integrity or for sinus repositioning so that dental implants can be placed, our experienced team here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania with multiple locations in the Philadelphia, PA area, is qualified to perform advanced sinus lifts meant to add depth to the upper jawbone while lifting the sinus membrane to allow extra room for bone. Only periodontists or maxillofacial surgeons are capable of doing a sinus lift because of knowledge requirements regarding ear, nose and throat anatomy as well as surgical techniques that are not part of a regular dentist's training.

Reasons that sinus lifts are necessary prior to a dental implant procedure primarily involve bone and tooth loss. Periodontal disease that remains untreated for years can infiltrate gums and erode bone through massive bacterial activity. Losing teeth also leads to bone loss because missing teeth promotes reabsorption of bone into body. Our team here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania also sees patients who have lost several molars and do not have sufficient bone mass for implant surgery. In regards to sinus positioning, some people are born with their maxillary sinus located abnormally close to the jaw, which can inhibit dental implant procedures.

Sinus and bone augmentation begins with your dentist taking CT scans or digital X-rays of a patient’s jaw and sinus cavity. Following a sinus lift, dental implants can be safely installed between five and 10 months later. Recovery is minimal and involves some swelling and bleeding that subsides within a few days of having the procedure.

To learn more about our experienced team here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, please visit www.oralsurgerypa.com.