Beneficial Information You Must Have About Sinus Elevation Procedures
Your dentist might recommend sinus lift surgery as a treatment approach if you desire dental implants but have insufficient jawbone to secure the implant. Alternative names for this process include sinus augmentation or sinus graft. Different medical specialists, including the dentist in Beverly Hills, perform this procedure.
There are different techniques dental specialists use when performing the sinus elevation procedure. Please continue reading to learn more about the methods and how they are beneficial to secure dental implants.
What Is the Need For Sinus Elevation?
Sinus elevation refers to the lifting of the maxillary sinus to make sufficient space for new bone. Your maxillary sinuses are cavities filled with air and located just about the posterior region of the maxilla or upper jaw. Lifting the sinus and grafting bone in between provides more jawbone for a dentist for placing dental implants.
If you have an insufficient upper jawbone, implants can’t anchor correctly or perform challenging tasks like chewing. Without sufficient jawbone, dental implant failure is standard because the implant cannot anchor correctly. You may experience bone loss in the jaw due to congenital disabilities, periodontal disease, cancer, or a natural variation that leaves your sinus cavities large and your jawbone thin.
Dentists recommend a sinus elevation method after determining you have below four to six mm bone height in the posterior region of your jaw.
Preparing For Sinus Elevation
Getting dental implants requires you to undergo a multi-step process, with sinus elevation or bone grafting being the initial step before placing dental implants. When preparing for sinus elevation, you consult your dentist and discuss your goals for implant placements. Next, your dentist examines your teeth, mouth, and gums besides conducting imaging studies using x-rays and CT scans to verify your jawbone health and other crucial structures of your skull.
If required, the dentist in Beverly Hills recommends sinus elevation surgery to help secure the implant. The time needed for completing this process depends on your overall oral health. You must take time to ensure the best results because the dental implant procedure is expensive.
The Sinus Elevation Procedure
Many different approaches exist for sinus elevation surgery. The best method for you depends on how much bone exists in your jaw, the type of bone graft the professional plans to use, and the approach for implant placement later. Some typical steps when performing the procedure include the following:
- You receive intravenous or oral sedatives besides local anesthesia to numb the area during the process to keep you comfortable.
- The professional performing the surgery will identify and make incisions in the posterior region of your gum tissue to expose the bone.
- A tiny area of the bone is cut by the professional exercising caution to avoid sinus membranes. The professional also lifts the cut portion of the bone to the sinus cavity by raising the membrane.
- After lifting the sinus membranes, the professional applies the bone grafting material taken from another part of your body or uses synthetic bone material.
- Eventually, the professional applies sutures to close the incisions in the gums.
After the procedure, the professional provides instructions to help you in your recovery.
Recovery From Sinus Elevation
Common side effects of sinus elevation surgery are swelling and bleeding. You can expect the discomfort to remain for a few days but return to your regular activities as directed by the professional. If, during the procedure, the professional perforated the Schneiderian membrane lining the maxillary sinus cavity, you may be at an increased risk of chronic sinusitis or infections. However, if you underwent uncomplicated surgery, the professional operating on you provide recovery instructions such as:
- If prescribed, you must take antibiotics to prevent infections.
- You must avoid blowing your nose vigorously or sneezing because it can affect the bone grafting material.
- You must avoid brushing your teeth for some time to prevent dislodging the blood clots or bleeding.
- You can take painkillers to alleviate the discomfort you experience.
- You must refrain from smoking during your recovery because it impairs healing time. In addition, you must refrain from using a straw for drinking for fear of dislodging blood clots that prevent bleeding.
You must return to the dental professional within a week after the procedure. If you experience worsening pain instead of improving or bleeding that is challenging to control, call your dentist as soon as possible.
Your jawbone requires approximately four to 12 months for healing before you can have dental implants placed. After undergoing the sinus lift procedure, you don’t need to experience the process again unless the professional perforates the Schneiderian membrane and recommends providing some time to heal before repeating the process.