Sinus Lifts

If a dental implant needs to be placed by a Sweetwater dentist, but there is not enough bone in the upper jaw or the sinuses are too close to the jaw, a sinus lift can be performed. A sinus lift sometimes called a sinus augmentation, is a surgery that adds bone to the upper jaw around the molars and premolars. In the procedure, the sinus membrane is moved upward, or “lifted,” to make room for the bone to be added between the jaw and maxillary sinuses (located on either side of the nose).

The bone used for a sinus lift can come from the patient’s own body (autogenous bone), from a cadaver, or from cow bone. Autogenous bone is taken from other areas of the mouth or body, usually from the hip or tibia. Schedule today with our restorative and cosmetic dentist in Sugar Land!

Sinus Lift Surgery in Sugar Land

During your treatment, the surgeon will make a cut in the gum tissue where the back teeth used to be, then raised to expose the underlying bone. A small oval window will then be opened in the bone, providing access to the membrane lining the sinus. This membrane separates the sinus from the jaw and is gently pushed up and away from the jaw. Space, where the sinus was, is then packed with granules of the bone-graft material, the amount of which will vary. Once enough bone has been placed, the tissue is closed with stitches and left to heal for approximately four to nine months before the implants can be placed. This time allows the graft to combine with the existing bone. The amount of time depends on the amount of bone used to fill in space.

Another visit will be needed about seven to 10 days after the surgery so that the specialist can evaluate the surgical site and remove stitches if needed. After the surgery, the area will need to be treated with care so as not to move the bone-graft material or loosen the stitches. A saline spray may be used to keep the inner lining of the nose wet and medicine can be prescribed to prevent congestion and inflammation, alleviate discomfort, and prevent infection.

Schedule an Appointment

Interested in sinus lifts in Sugar Land? We have helped many patients from Richmond, Greatwood, Sweetwater Village, Rosenberg, Stafford, Lexington Meadows, Colony Meadows, Town Center Square, and the surrounding areas, and we’d love to do the same for you too! Schedule an appointment with us today.