If you are looking into having a dental implant placed to replace a lost tooth or teeth, you may have heard the terms ‘bone grafting’ or ‘sinus lift’, and might be wondering what they mean. In this article we will go over what a bone graft or sinus lift entails and what kind of patient requires these procedures.
What is a sinus lift?
Sinus lifts are a procedure that are related to dental implants and are generally done during the implant placement procedure. A sinus lift may be required if the patient is getting an implant for an upper back tooth, and there is not enough bone in the upper jaw for the implant to be placed safely. The surgery, as suggested by then name, involves ‘lifting’ the sinus membrane, thereby allowing a bone graft to be placed without breaching the membrane and affecting the sinuses. The maxillary sinuses are air sacks above the upper teeth and below the eyes, which need to be managed so that any potential dental implants to be placed in the area do not cause damage.
Do I need a Sinus lift?
Patients who require sinus lifts are those who are getting a dental implant in the back of their upper jaw, and who also do not have enough natural bone available for an implant to be safely placed. The only way to know whether you fit these requirements is for your dental practitioner to assess your mouth through a detailed examination and x-rays.
For patients who do require a sinus lift, in most cases, the sinus lift can be performed at the same time as implant placement. If this is the case, only 10 minutes is added to your total procedure time.
What is bone grafting?
Bone grafting is, as the name suggests, the grafting of additional bone material into the patient’s jaw in order to support a dental implant. Usually those who require bone grafting will have suffered from bone loss in the area, and their natural bone is no longer sufficient to support the implant its lifespan. If this is the case, a bone graft may be needed to rebuild back the missing bone to create a stable base for the dental implant to be inserted.
The grafted bone can either be taken from the patient’s own mouth or supplemented using a specialized bone grafting material, depending on what is most suitable for the patient. Over a period of around 3-6 months, this bone will heal, fusing with your own bone. This newly formed bone will provide a healthy and strong ‘base’ or ‘foundation’, upon which the dental implant can rest.
In the majority of cases, the bone grafting procedure is performed simultaneously at the same time that the dental implant is placed. However, this may not be suitable in all situations – only when you have good oral health and the bone loss in your jaw is not too severe.
Contact Central Periodontics Now To Make An Appointment!
The best way to answer any questions about sinus lifts or bone grafts is to give us a visit at Central Periodontics. Dr. Bikram Sethi has years of experience placing and maintaining implants, and can provide you with the best results and care. We don’t require referrals, and are always accepting new patients. Give us a call at 02 6247 6555, or contact us online to get started.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.