One of the keys to having the most successful dental implant procedure is having enough healthy natural bone to support your implants. Sometimes there may not be enough natural bone due to trauma, gum disease, or previous procedures where the natural bone wasn’t preserved. When this is the case, the bone can be augmented during sinus lift surgery at Think Oral Implants and Periodontics.
What is a sinus augmentation procedure?
Also known as a sinus lift, a sinus augmentation procedure makes it easier for Dr. Ting to place dental implants. The procedure helps increase the amount of bone in your upper jaw that is necessary for dental implants. This is one of the most common bone grafting procedure offered to our patients wanting dental implants in Paoli, PA. When back teeth are missing in your upper jaw, the sinus cavity becomes larger because bone will deteriorate over time. To help with this, Dr. Ting adds bone to the sinus floor so that you can have one or more dental implants placed there. He will raise the sinus and allow new bone to form there. An incision is made to expose any bone there and a small hole is cut into the existing bone to connect the sinus floor successfully. The sinus floor is filled with bone grafting material, which will help support an implant later.
Who Needs A Sinus Augmentation?
A sinus augmentation may be necessary for someone with missing teeth and jawbone in the back of your jaw. Jawbone and teeth in this area can be lost due to periodontal disease, other medical conditions, or an injury. A sinus lift can also be used when your sinuses are too close to your upper jaw and you require more space to place the implant.
What happens during sinus augmentation?
Your sinus lift is basically a bone transplant. You will be using a bone from one place and placing it in your upper jaw. We can use a bone from your own body, a cadaver bone, a bone from a cow, or a synthetic bone. After choosing the bone source, Dr. Ting will take measurements to ensure the height and width of the bone is accurate.
Sinus augmentation usually takes anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours. You will be given local or general anesthesia. Next, we will cut into your gum tissue. We raise this tissue to expose your jawbone and cut a small circle in the bone. This allows us to lift it and fill the hole. The procedure ends with sutures on your incision sites.
Learn more about what a sinus augmentation can do for your chances of getting successful dental implants
When you want to replace missing teeth in your mouth, consider dental implants. Dr. Ting at Think Oral Implants and Periodontics can evaluate your teeth and gums to determine if you’re a candidate. If not, he may suggest a sinus augmentation. To schedule a consultation with our professional dental team, call 610-550-3333. We serve patients in Paoli, Malvern, Berwyn, and the surrounding Pennsylvania communities with advanced periodontal procedures and dental implant treatments.
