For many patients, dental implants can be the ideal solution for missing teeth. With both a root substitute—the implant—and a tooth restoration that can be a porcelain crown or implant-retained dentures, they are probably the most lifelike tooth replacement. In order to be firmly set in your jawbone, however, a dental implant necessitates sufficient bone tissue. If you would like dental implants but don't have enough bone, then Dr. Jorgenson can perform a sinus lift that will add bone structure to your upper jaw.
Also called sinus augmentation, this surgery adds bone to the jaw above your upper molars and premolars. Bone can be taken from your own body, which is called autogenous bone, or from a cadaver (allogeneic bone), or even from cow bone. The bone is placed between your upper jaw and your maxillary sinuses, which are located on either side of your nose. In order for there to be room for this additional bone, the sinus membrane must be shifted upward or lifted.
Several circumstances can precipitate the need for sinus lift surgery. First of all, the anatomy of your skull usually dictates that the upper jaw has less bone than your lower jaw. Thus, there may naturally not be enough bone for dental implants. Other conditions that may necessitate sinus lift surgery include:
Once the area is adequately anesthetized, Dr. Jorgenson cuts the gum tissue in order to expose the bone. A small opening is created in the bone and the membrane lining the sinus is gently lifted up and away from your jawbone. Then, donated bone tissue is inserted into the space that the sinus previously occupied. With the bone in place, Dr. Jorgenson closes the gum tissue with sutures.
You may experience some swelling after sinus lift surgery, and minimal bleeding from your mouth or nose is not uncommon. You’ll be given medication for pain, as well as an antibiotic and an antimicrobial mouthwash to help stave off infection.
After your surgery, Dr. Jorgenson will want to see you in a week or two to make sure you are healing well. Depending on how much bone tissue was required, complete healing from sinus lift surgery can take four to nine months. Once healed, we’ll be able to place your dental implants, so you can enjoy all the benefits of a complete and healthy smile.
To find out if you are a candidate for sinus lift surgery, contact Advanced Dental Care today. Your Costa Mesa oral surgeon Dr. Jorgenson is highly qualified and now delivering quality dental care daily throughout Irvine, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and the surrounding Orange County, CA communities.
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