Sinus Lifts

Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular, which has also boosted the popularity of sinus lifts. However, it’s often difficult for those with bone loss to qualify for a dental implant. When this happens, one way to allow a patient to get an implant is to perform a sinus lift.

Dr. MacConnell offers this surgery at the Center for Family & Implant Dentistry. With our comprehensive oral implant services, you don’t have to be referred to a separate oral surgeon for your sinus lift.

What Is a Sinus Lift, and Why Is It Needed?

A sinus lift is also referred to as sinus augmentation. It’s a surgery that allows some patients to get a dental implant who wouldn’t be able to without it. For patients who have been told that they don’t have enough bone to hold onto the implanted post of a dental implant, this will increase the amount of bone in that area so that the post can take hold.

Patients who have had a tooth missing for a long time often need a sinus lift. Over time, without a tooth in place, the bone around the area can start to deteriorate. There are also other reasons for the bone to deteriorate, such as periodontal gum disease. When that happens, many people believe that they will never be able to get a dental implant, but a sinus lift can change that.

A sinus lift will increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw. This procedure adds bone to an area between your premolars and molars by lifting up the sinus membrane. When this is done, there will be more bone in that area, and this will cause there to be enough bone to hold an implant. Dr. MacConnell has extensive training in this surgery and has helped many patients get their desired implants.

There are three main types of bone that are used in this type of surgery:

• An autogenous bone comes from elsewhere in your body
• An allogeneic bone comes from outside of your body
• A xenograft is bone is sourced from a cow to create the extra bone material you need

Getting Your Sinus Lift

When you require extra bone, you will generally need to have X-rays taken so that Dr. MacConnell can thoroughly assess your sinuses and jaw. You may be given a local anesthetic, or you may be sedated during the procedure, depending on your needs. You will be kept comfortable throughout the procedure.

Once you have your sinus lift, it must heal for several months before getting your dental implant. Plan for a healing period of anywhere from four to twelve months. As you heal, you may have some discomfort that requires pain medication. This may be prescription medication or over-the-counter.

Dental Implant Options With the Center for Family & Implant Dentistry

If you are interested in replacing a tooth with a dental implant but have bone loss, give us a call for a consultation about getting a sinus lift to make your implant possible. We can perform it right here in our Bluff City and Kingsport offices.