Have you just been scheduled for a sinus lift procedure in San Antonio, TX, and are you wondering what it is? Don’t worry; you are not alone! Not so many people know the term. You might come across the procedure only when our dentist in 78209 deems it necessary.
The road to healthy and robust implants is not always rosy. So, our dentist in San Antonio, TX, will perform certain tests to ensure that your implants are firmly anchored to the jawbone. The sinus lift procedure is fairly common and can enhance your dental implant experience, even after a major bone loss.
Do you wish to explore more about the sinus lift procedure? If you are, read on!
What Is Sinus Lift?
If you have been researching sinus lift, you must have come across the term sinus augmentation. If you haven’t, just know that sinus augmentation or sinus graft are other names for the sinus lift procedure.
Dental implants are a revolutionary tooth replacement, but they need healthy bone to support them. If you don’t have enough bone to secure the implant, you might need to undergo the sinus lift procedure.
Whenever you lose a tooth, bone loss is inevitable. But some patients have a significant bone loss that there is no other option but to undergo an additional procedure to bulk the bone. That’s where the sinus lift procedure in San Antonio, TX, comes in handy.
Our dentist in 78209 performs the sinus lift to increase the bone in your upper jaw to get your jaw ready for tooth implants. The procedure involves lifting the sinus to create room for new bone. When our dentist lifts the sinus and grafts new bone in the created space, there’s more bone to place the implant.
The sinus lift is usually one of the main procedures performed during a full mouth reconstruction.
Who Needs It?
The sinus lift is not a prerequisite for getting tooth implants. It is only a necessary procedure if you have a bone loss at the back of your jaw, close to the sinuses. Jawbone loss in this area could occur due to cancer, congenital disabilities, gum disease, or other medical conditions.
In some instances, our dentist may recommend the procedure if your sinuses are too close to your upper jaw and reduce the space needed to place a dental implant.
What Happens Before You Undergo the Sinus Lift Procedure?
In a nutshell, a sinus graft is a bone transplant. Our dentist will take bone from one place and then use it to bulk the bone in your upper jaw. The initial step is to determine where the bone will come from. Mostly, the bone comes from:
- Your body (autogenous bone)
- A cadaver (allogenic bone)
- A cow (xenograft)
- Synthetic bone-like material
Our dentist will take accurate measurements to evaluate the width and height of your existing bone. Once the right bone has been determined, our dentist will proceed with the procedure.
During the Procedure
The procedure is pretty much straightforward. The entire process can be summarized as follows:
- Our dentist uses anesthesia to ensure that you don’t feel pain or discomfort during the procedure
- Next, our dental surgeon will cut the gum tissue at the back of your mouth where your teeth used to be to gain access to your jawbone
- After gaining access, our dentist will cut a small circle in the jawbone
- Then, the bone transplant will be placed in the sinus cavity to fill the hole that was created
- The incision will be closed, and the healing process begins
After the Procedure
Our dentist will send you home after the procedure to allow the healing process to take effect. You will experience some bleeding and minimal discomfort.
The critical part of the healing process is keeping the graft in place. Therefore, don’t blow your nose, and if it were possible, don’t sneeze! The whole idea is that these activities could cause the graft to move, and the stitches could loosen.
You will also need a saline spray to keep your nose moist, a prescription pain-killer, a prescription to prevent swelling and congestion, and an antibiotic. You will also need an antimicrobial wash to prevent infections.
How Long Does a Sinus Lift Last?
The sinus lift procedure usually takes 30 minutes to complete. However, recovery will take much longer. You will need no less than six months for your sinuses to heal and your bones to be sturdy enough to secure the implants. Even though six months may seem like an eternity, it is worth it since you are going for long-lasting results.
The sinus lift procedure is not painful since it is performed under anesthesia. The only pain you will experience will be after the procedure after the anesthesia wears off.
In any case, contact us at Terrell Hills Dental if you have any questions.