What is a Sinus Lift and When Do Patients Need to Undergo the Procedure?
If you’ve lost one or more teeth, know that you’re not alone. As a dental implants in Portland provider, Dr. Goldwyn works with patients who’ve lost teeth due to dental decay, disease, and injuries. The older a patient becomes, the higher their likelihood of needing an implant to restore their smile to health.
The average number of permanent teeth a patient has remaining drops to 22 (down from 28 non-wisdom teeth) by 50. Missing teeth not only contribute to patients feeling self-conscious about the state of their smiles, but missing teeth also make it harder to chew and talk. Fortunately, dental implants in Portland offer you the ability to restore your smile to its original beauty.
The Challenge of Placing Implants
One of the most challenging places in the mouth for Dr. Goldwyn to place a dental implant in the back of the upper jaw due to the presence of the maxillary sinus. Sinuses, hollow areas inside the skull, can interfere with the placement of a dental implant because they can impact the strength and depth of the surrounding bone tissue. Typically, teeth located in the upper part of the jaw have roots that extend into the sinus. However, if these teeth fall out, the bone can deteriorate, leaving little bone structure to anchor a dental implant. In these types of cases, Dr. Goldwyn can perform a sinus lift surgery to improve the strength of the bone near the maxillary sinuses to provide a stable and durable foundation for the placement of an implant.
How Sinus Lift Surgeries are Performed
To determine whether a patient requires sinus lift surgery, Dr. Goldwyn will take x-rays to measure the bone density surrounding the missing teeth. If Dr. Goldwyn determines the procedure is necessary, patients will receive instructions on scheduling the surgery.
Before the surgery starts, Dr. Goldwyn will numb your jaw and gums using a local anesthetic. Next. Dr. Goldwyn will make a small incision where your teeth were once positioned. The sinus membrane will be lifted from the sinus floor through this incision. Grafting materials are then placed into the vacant space, and over the next several months, the body will begin to replace these bioactive materials with natural bone tissue. Once the graft is in position, the gum tissue is closed, and the area can start the healing process.
Recovery Process
While patients heal at different rates, most will require between four to 12 months to recover from the procedure thoroughly. This may seem like a long time, but your body needs to heal completely to become strong enough for the successful placement of dental implants. Dr. Goldwyn will monitor your progress throughout the recovery process and inform you when your body is ready for implant placement.
Benefits of Sinus Lift
Sinus lifts enable patients with small jaws, large sinuses, or upper jaws that have deteriorated the ability to receive a dental implant. Sinus lifts can help patients who’ve experienced extensive bone loss caused by trauma, gum disease, accident, or injury. The process offers a practical and lasting solution for restoring bone health and usually involves minimal discomfort. Dr. Goldwyn will monitor you throughout the entire process to ensure your oral health will continue to look and feel its best.