Your Ontario Invisalign® Provider
At dentalhouse, our Toronto and Woodbridge dentists may perform a sinus lift procedure to prepare a patient for dental implant surgery.
What is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is a type of bone graft. During this procedure, bone material is grafted to your upper back jaw at the position of the molar and premolar teeth to prepare for placement of a dental implant.
Sinus Lifts
Dental implants naturally fuse with the jaw bone in a process referred to as osseointegration. But for this to occur, a certain amount of bone must be present.
A sinus lift at our Toronto or Woodbridge locations can help increase the amount of bone in the sinus area, allowing your dentist to place the implant. During this procedure, the maxillary sinus membrane is moved up, allowing space for additional bone.
Most patients will experience minimal pain or discomfort during the sinus lift procedure.
Reasons for a Sinus Lift
The quality and quantity of bone where a dental implant is to be placed is a key factor in the success of your implant.
Often, the upper back jaw will not have enough bone quantity and quality to place a dental implant, due to its close proximity to the sinus.
If tooth loss or gum disease have caused you to lose bone here, a sinus lift may be required to ensure there is enough bone to support the implant.
Having a sinus lift can give you a much greater chance of success with your dental implant.
Signs You Need a Sinus Lift
Your dentist can assess your case and tell you whether you need a sinus lift. You may require a sinus lift if:
- Your maxillary sinus is too close to the upper jaw
- You've lost back teeth or molars (and have been missing teeth for a long period)
- Experienced a damaged jawbone due to tooth decay
- Bone has been reabsorbed into the body due to tooth loss