Sinus lift surgery prepares you for sturdy implants that will last a lifetime. At Impressive Dental Care in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, Lea Planzos, DMD, MS, Penny Planzos, DMD, MS, and Thomas Planzos, DMD, perform sinus lift surgery to strengthen the bone supporting your upper row of teeth with grafting material. Schedule a consultation for a sinus lift and dental implants over the phone or online at Impressive Dental Care today.
What is a sinus lift?
A sinus lift is a surgical, dental procedure involving a bone graft in the bone supporting your upper row of teeth. Your maxillary sinuses are the open spaces just above your upper jaw behind your face. A sinus lift reduces the size of your maxillary sinuses by adding bone grafting material to strengthen the upper jaw.
During sinus lift surgery, your Impressive Dental Care dentist gives you oral or intravenous sedatives and local anesthesia in your mouth and jaw. They cut a small portion of bone from the jaw and elevate it above the bone in the sinus cavity. They place bone grafting materials (human, animal, or synthetic bone) in the lifted area.
Your dentist then closes the incision in your gums. Over time, your bone naturally integrates the grafting material and creates a solid base for dental implants.
Why do I need a sinus lift?
A sinus lift might be necessary if you need dental implants to replace one or more of your upper teeth. When you lose teeth and their natural roots, the bone that once held those teeth tends to deteriorate. Your jawbone gets weaker when it has less mass, and soon it’s not stable enough to secure a dental implant.
Getting a sinus lift before getting a dental implant ensures that the implant will be adequately secure. Implants can last a lifetime, so it’s essential that you go through the implant process correctly the first time, even if it means getting a sinus lift.
How should I prepare for a sinus lift?
Preparing for sinus lift surgery involves a few different steps. If you follow your dentist’s instructions closely, you’ll be ready for a safe procedure at Impressive Dental Care.
Before your sinus lift appointment, you’ll:
- Discuss graft options
- Discuss anesthesia and sedation choices
- Get X-rays at the office
- Undergo a dental exam
- Talk about the details of the procedure with your dentist
Your dentist answers any questions about sinus lifts and reviews your medical history. The dentist discusses your medication, letting you know if you need to suspend any of it just before your sinus lift surgery.
To determine if you need a sinus lift before getting dental implants, call Impressive Dental Care today or book an appointment online.