Sinus Augmentation

Because dental implants are placed in the bone, sufficient structure is necessary for a successful procedure. One of the most challenging areas is the upper jaw, near the sinuses. Factors such as periodontal disease and missing teeth commonly cause bone loss, and they can make the sinus cavity enlarge. As a result, there may not be enough bone to support implants. Fortunately, a sinus lift, also called a sinus augmentation, can remedy this problem.

The procedure surgically raises the sinus floor, which causes the area to fill in with new, healthy bone material. Several techniques may be used. After an evaluation, your doctor will recommend the best method for your particular situation, and explain what to expect. As with any surgical procedure, the area will be numbed completely before work begins. Although patients find bone grafting and dental implant surgeries surprisingly comfortable, we offer both oral and IV sedation for those who feel anxious or fearful.

One of the most common techniques is performed by exposing the bone and cutting a small circle in it. This piece of bone is then elevated into the sinus cavity and the incision is closed. Depending on the situation, we may place the implants during the same appointment, minimizing the number of appointments and procedures needed. If implants cannot be placed right away, sufficient bone tissue usually develops within four to six months after sinus augmentation.

At Center for Implant Dentistry, we take pride in the quality of our work and our outstanding success rate. Our practice is focused on every aspect of the dental implant process, so you will not have to visit multiple practices. This also means that your care will be seamlessly coordinated, with no risk of miscommunication between offices.

Sinus augmentation improves the bone structure in the upper jaw, which helps preserve your facial contours as well as enabling the replacement of missing teeth. Because dental implants provide the stimulation necessary to keep bone tissue healthy, it should not “melt away” again after the process in complete.