Simultaneous Implants with Sinus Lift
Sun City West, AZ
 When you lose your teeth, several things begin to happen. Many of the effects are noticeable right away, including difficulty biting and chewing and trouble speaking. The appearance of your smile suffers, and your confidence decreases. In addition to these effects, tooth loss also leads to bone loss in your jaw. Dental implants are a popular treatment for replacing missing teeth. However, missing teeth in your upper jaw can compromise your maxillary sinus cavities. Solutions Dental Implants can help with simultaneous implants with a sinus lift procedure.
Bone Loss and Dental Implants
Dental implants rely on sufficient bone mass in your jaw. As you heal from surgery, the bone fuses to the posts, integrating them into the jaw. This process, called osseointegration, helps the posts to become secure, stable supports for your replacement teeth. However, after you lose your teeth, the jawbone begins to weaken. This is caused by a loss of stimulation from the missing teeth. If you lose too much bone mass, the implants may not integrate properly, or they may not integrate at all. This can lead to the implants being loose or even complete implant failure.
What is a Sinus Lift?
Some of the teeth in your upper jaw have roots that extend toward the maxillary sinus cavities. These are the sinus cavities located just behind your cheeks. When these teeth are lost and bone mass is lost, the space between the jaw and sinus cavity thins. If dental implants are placed, the posts could pierce through the sinus cavities, which can then lead to chronic sinus infections and other complications.
A sinus lift is a procedure designed to place some space between the jaw and the sinus cavities using bone grafting material. The floor of the sinus cavity is lifted up, and the bone grafting material is placed in the empty space underneath. With a sinus lift, implants are made possible while also protecting the sinus cavities.
How are Dental Implants Usually Placed with a Sinus Lift?
In most cases, dental implants are placed after healing from a sinus lift. A sinus lift involves a surgical procedure. After incisions are made in the gums near the premolars and molars, incisions are then made in the bone. The floor of the sinus cavity is then lifted up, and the bone grafting material is then placed underneath. This material is often bone harvested from your own body or bone taken from a donor. As you heal from surgery, your bone fuses to the grafting material. Once healing from the sinus lift, then the dental implant process can begin.
Simultaneous Implants with a Sinus Lift
In some cases, it is possible to perform a sinus lift and then place dental implants immediately afterward. This avoids the need for additional surgery and can also save significant time. If you have mild to moderate bone loss under the sinus cavities, a simultaneous implant and sinus lift may be possible. After the floor of the sinus cavity is lifted, bone particles are placed underneath, and the implants are placed at the same time. Bone regeneration material is often placed at the same time to help encourage the growth of new bone. After several months of healing, new bone grows, and the implants are stabilized within the jaw. Once we have determined that you have completely healed, then we begin the process of creating your final restorations, completely restoring a strong, beautiful smile.
Dr. Kammeyer takes great pride in providing comfort for all of our patients. We will always be sensitive to any dental fears that you may have and make sure that you are informed and feel comfortable about any procedure that you need.
If you are interested in learning more about simultaneous implants with a sinus lift and want to find out if this treatment is right for you, call Solutions Dental Implants at (480) 956-6113 today. |
