Sinus Lift in Aurora, IL
What is a Sinus Lift?
Who Needs a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift may be necessary for individuals who have lost upper teeth and need to raise the sinus floor to allow for new bone formation. You may need this procedure if you:
- Have lost teeth in the upper jaw—especially the molar region—and only have a thin wall of bone separating the sinus and the mouth.
- Have been toothless for a significant period, causing bone loss.
- Have a naturally thin upper jawbone or sinus wall.
- Have a sinus that is too close to the upper jaw for implants to be placed.
Am I a Candidate for a Sinus Lift Procedure?
If you’re considering dental implant treatment but have been told that your upper jaw has insufficient bone to support the implants, or the sinuses are too close to the jaw, you may be a good candidate for a sinus lift. Our dental team will evaluate your oral health and discuss your medical history to ascertain if sinus augmentation is the best option for you.
Sinus Lift vs. Bone Graft
Sinus lift and bone grafting are both surgical procedures used to improve the bone volume in the jaw, usually in preparation for dental implant placement. However, they are not the same and are used for different purposes.
A sinus lift specifically targets the upper jaw area. It is focused on stimulating bone growth in the upper back jaw and involves lifting the sinus membrane and placing bone graft material underneath it. A bone graft procedure, while similar, involves adding bone grafting material to the upper or lower jawbone to build up its volume and density.
Generally, a sinus lift is performed when the patient needs dental implants to replace the upper teeth but lacks adequate bone height in the upper jaw, or the sinuses are too close to the jaw for the implants to be placed without risk. Bone augmentation, on the other hand, is a more generalized term and can be used for various reasons in patients with bone loss.
Sinus Augmentation Procedure
A sinus augmentation procedure is often one of the first steps in preparing for dental implants. The implant dentist will make a small incision in the upper jaw, and the sinus membrane is lifted. Bone graft material is then placed into the space where the sinus was. After the graft is in place, the area is stitched up. During the healing process, the bone material will integrate with your own sinus bone over a period of a few months. With adequate recovery time, dental implants can be placed.
Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure, as it is performed under local anesthesia. Pain medication can be prescribed for any discomfort after the procedure. It generally takes about 4 to 9 months of healing time for the bone to integrate enough to support dental implants.
Contact Fox Valley Dental Care for Sinus Lift in Aurora, IL
Fox Valley Dental Care, we are committed to ensuring that our patients receive top-quality care. With the sinus lift procedure, you can pave the way for successful and long-lasting dental implants and a brighter, more confident smile!