Sinus Augmentation
Good oral health means having strong enamel to protect your teeth from bacteria that can lead to tooth decay. It means your gums form a tight seal at the base of teeth to prevent food and bacteria from getting beneath the gum line, and lastly, your jaw bone is strong and provides a stable structure for your teeth.
Unfortunately, most of us have issues that compromise these oral processes. You may, for example, suffer tooth loss due to trauma from an accident. Others may have abscesses that cause tooth loss and impact the jaw bone. Some patients also suffer from advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, that can ultimately cause tooth and bone loss.
When you lose a tooth, the dental team at Fioritto Family Dental can offer several options for tooth replacement, including dental implants. However, when bone loss has occurred, it can be difficult to form a stable base for your implant. This is especially problematic in the upper rear jaw, where the amount of bone is often lacking.
Further complicating the issue is the proximity of the sinus cavity to the upper jaw. You don’t want a dental implant extending into this sensitive area. To reduce risk and to ensure a successful dental implant, our implant specialist can perform a sinus augmentation procedure that enables the formation of new bone in the area nearest the sinus cavity.
What is Sinus Augmentation?
When tooth loss occurs, the jaw bone can begin to recede as it has no tooth to support it. A dental implant can actually help stop this process because the post of the implant acts as the base of the false tooth and bonds to the jaw bone.
If bone loss has already begun, or the jaw bone is too weak to support an implant, you may need a bone grafting procedure to strengthen the area before an implant can be placed. This procedure may not be possible in the upper rear area of the jaw unless more space is created. This is where sinus augmentation is valuable.
There are several techniques that may be used to lift the sinus floor, but typically, the procedure involves surgically lifting the sinus cavity so that a bone graft can be placed in the area. Sometimes mesh or other material is needed to keep the graft in place and stimulate bone development.
Prognosis Following Sinus Augmentation
Following a sinus augmentation procedure, it may take several months for new bone to form. When the area has healed and new bone has formed, patients can safely receive a dental implant with long-term success. In some cases, we may be able to place the implant during the bone grafting and sinus augmentation procedure, but it will depend on a patient’s particular circumstances.
If you’ve suffered tooth loss and you’re interested in dental implants to restore function, beauty and confidence, contact our dental team at Fioritto Family Dental today at 440-951-5511!