Dental implants are the sturdy artificial teeth replacement that does not require special care or removal for someone to clean on a nightly basis. However, this titanium solution requires enough bone in the jaw for the implant to work properly. If a patient does not have enough bone marrow, then it is less likely the patient will be able to get dental implants.
Fortunately, there is a procedure that can help increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw for the patient to wear dental implants. The procedure is known as a sinus lift and is one that we offer here at Rafael E. Cordero, DDS PA.
Before you can receive dental implants, it is important to make sure that you have enough bone in the jaw. Since the implant will attach into the bone to provide a sturdy support system, the patient needs to have enough jaw density. Otherwise, a sinus lift will be necessary in order to place any implants in the upper jaw. Here are a few signs that you are a candidate for a sinus lift:
While people may assume that a sinus lift is solely for cosmetic services, there are also health benefits. People who are missing a tooth or teeth may not replace it with dentures or a dental implant, unaware the gap will lead to resorption. During the process of resorption, the body does not receive stimulation from the area of the missing tooth and absorbs the calcium in the jaw for other areas of the body.
Due to this, the face can begin to sag and sink inward. A dental implant can stimulate the jawbone in ways that dentures do not and prevent resorption altogether. If a patient needs more bone for a dental implant, a sinus lift is an effective option.
For the sinus lift, the periodontist may use the patient’s own bone, a donor’s bone or cow bone in a process known as a xenograft. Obviously, the sample will go through the proper sterilization process prior to placement. The removal process for taking bone from the patient’s body will most likely involve removing bone from the mouth. The procedure can also use bone from the hip or tibia.
Prior to beginning the sinus lift, a periodontist will need to take X-rays to determine the dimensions of the jaw. There will also need to be an examination to ensure the patient is healthy and a candidate for this procedure. After everything is ready to go, the sinus lift will begin.
During this process, the periodontist will cut some of the tissue away from where the back teeth were and then raise the tissue to expose the bone. By doing so, the periodontist will be able to open a small space in the bone to pack in the material into the space. By doing so, they will help to raise up the sinus. The periodontist will then close up the area with stitches.
Similar to other types of dental surgical procedures, patients will need to follow a few steps after receiving a sinus lift. These steps include:
Return for a checkup in 7 to 10 business days
This one may go without saying, but it is crucial to make the follow-up appointment. During this appointment, we can ensure that everything is healing properly and address any issues the patient has. We will also be able to map out how long the patient will have to wait before getting dental implants.
Try to avoid blowing your nose or sneezing
While this may not be as easy, the periodontist can recommend saline sprays to help keep the inner lining of the nose wet. Sneezing or blowing the nose can cause the stitches to come undone or reverse the entire procedure. The periodontist will go over more options at a consultation.Take any recommended pain medication to ease any pain
While each patient may feel varying levels of pain, the periodontist may recommend pain medication. Pain can include swelling, minor bleeding and soreness. In many cases, the symptoms are mild and dissipate rather quickly.
Contact us if the swelling or pain gets worse
In the cases where the pain seems to linger for several days or gets worse, contact us right away. We will schedule an appointment as soon as possible and determine the cause of the pain before recommending the next course of action.
Wait for approval to get dental implants
While people are excited to get dental implants after the sinus lift, it is important to wait and give the bone the proper time to heal. Depending on the material that we use and the patient's condition, this can take anywhere from four to nine months.
Rafael E. Cordero, DDS PA is located at
3345 Burns Rd #203
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
33410.