Introduction to Sinus Lift Procedures in West Hartford, CT
A sinus lift is a common procedure in the dental field that’s used for many patients receiving dental implants. At JP Dental we offer the best sinus lift services in West Hartford, CT.
When a patient gets dental implants, the implants are embedded into the bone beneath the gums. However, gum disease and the various other issues that cause implants to be necessary in the first place weaken the gums and lead to the bone deteriorating over time. Oftentimes, that bone deterioration leaves too little bone for the implant procedure to be successful. By lifting the nasal cavity and adding bone, the implants can be secured properly for permanent reliability.
Types of Sinus Lifts
There are two types of sinus lifts that might be used before you get your dental implants. Which one is used depends on the circumstances behind your dental health and what is needed to make the implant procedure a success.
First, there’s the lateral sinus lift. A lateral sinus lift is when your dentist creates an incision in the gums around your molars and pre-molars. This incision opens a small window into the sinus cavity but beneath the membrane of the sinuses. From there, the membrane is lifted, and the bone of the upper jaw is lifted into the space. Material is then grafted in the newly added space, and implants can be successfully installed.
An alternative to a lateral sinus lift is an osteotome. An osteotome is a method that refrains from touching the sinus cavity at all, but it has some drawbacks.
Rather than cutting a window, lifting the bone structure, and adding in grafting material, an osteotome requires the dentist to cut into the roof of your mouth, drill just shy of the sinus floor, and then gradually increase the diameter of the hole over time. After the hole has eventually been increased to a suitable size, grafting material is added.
A lateral sinus lift, also known as an internal sinus lift or direct sinus lift, is the most common procedure and what you’re most likely to have done if needed.
The Sinus Lift Procedure: Step-by-Step
A sinus lift procedure is fairly complex. Here’s a step-by-step rundown of what to expect.
First, you don’t have to worry about any pain throughout the procedure. During the prep phase, your dentist will use an anesthetic to completely numb the area being worked on, or they might even use nerve blockers to achieve the same effect. Sedation is almost always used with this type of procedure.
Once you’re numb, the gums have to be cut through to the bone. This incision is made in the space where the molars are toward the rear of the oral cavity. Then, the bone itself is cut through until the sinus cavity is accessible.
Once the dentist can access your sinus cavity, the membrane that protects the sinus is gently lifted, and the bone of your upper jaw is elevated, as well. This process creates the space needed to add extra bone material.
Now, the grafting material is added. This can come from a variety of sources. Most often, the dentist will surgically source grafting material from your own body. This is typically a small amount of bone from another part of your mouth. However, the dentist can also use synthetic material, bone material from the cadaver of someone who donated their body for medical purposes, or even animal tissue.
Once the material is grafted, it takes time for it to become part of your natural bone structure. The process is similar to healing a broken bone. However, once the grafted material fully adheres, you’ll be ready for implants.
The after-care process is usually very straightforward. You’ll receive antibiotics to prevent infection in the sinus or surrounding areas, pain medicine will often be supplied, and you’ll need a few days to fully recover.
However, if the sinus membrane is accidentally torn or damaged during the procedure, you might have to deal with more downtime as it heals, or the dentist might correct the issue manually.
With a highly qualified dentist who frequently works on dental implants and sinus lifts, the chance of dealing with either issue is minimal, and even if something does occur, it’s not too big of a deal.
Overall, the procedure is straightforward and allows you to reclaim your beautiful smile. Contact JP Dental today if you want to learn more about this procedure and our services.