At Battle Born Periodontics, we specialize in providing comprehensive care to ensure the success of your dental implants. One of the key factors in placing a secure and stable dental implant in the upper jaw is ensuring that there is enough bone to support it. Insufficient bone in the maxillary premolar and molar area can make it challenging to place a sturdy dental implant and ensure its long-term success. In this situation, sinus augmentation (also known as sinus lift surgery) becomes an essential procedure.
The maxillary sinuses are air-filled spaces located in bones that form the upper jaw. They sit on either side of the nose, just above the roots of the upper teeth. As the largest of the paranasal sinuses, their primary functions include lightening the weight of the skull, producing mucus that helps humidify and filter inhaled air, and providing resonance that contributes to voice quality and tone.
Since the maxillary sinuses sit so close to roots of the upper teeth, issues affecting the sinuses can consequently affect the teeth, and vice versa. Furthermore, this close relationship can, in some cases, leave insufficient bone height for placing a posterior dental implant.
By lifting the sinus membrane and adding bone graft material to this area, a sinus augmentation increases the bone height and volume to securely hold one or more dental implants. The graft material serves as a scaffold for new bone growth over the following months. After placing the graft, the incision is sutured closed, and the area is allowed to heal for approximately 4–6 months before dental implants can be placed, giving sufficient time for the graft to integrate and form new bone tissue.
This procedure is especially helpful for patients who have experienced posterior maxillary bone loss due to aging, tooth loss, or sinus issues.
As typically performed by a skilled periodontist or oral surgeon, a sinus augmentation can help patients rebuild the bone necessary to support dental implants and restore functionality to their smile.
Sinus augmentation is recommended when there is insufficient bone in the upper jaw to place dental implants. Several factors can contribute to this lack of bone:
Following a sinus lift procedure, patients may experience some swelling and bleeding. Our office will provide complete information on post-op care, follow-up visits, and any precautions one may take to support optimal healing.
Recovery from sinus augmentation typically takes about 4-9 months, during which the bone graft integrates with the existing bone.
Most patients experience only mild discomfort after the procedure, which can be managed with pain relievers. Any pain usually subsides within a few days.
Yes, once the bone graft has healed and integrated, dental implants can be successfully placed in the newly augmented bone.
As with any surgery, there are potential risks, including infection, bleeding, or sinus membrane perforation. However, these risks are minimal and can be managed by an experienced periodontist.
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