Everybody’s a little bit different and we know that. And our body didn’t read the textbook. And so, some people have a very large sinus, and our…the roots of our teeth actually act as temples. So, when we lose top teeth, sometimes our sinuses will actually expand and grow into where those roots used to be. And a sinus lift is sometimes necessary when there’s not enough bone volume to be able to place an implant. So, what’s kind of neat is we have some techniques where we can actually enter into the sinus, minimally invasively, add bone, and we let that heal. And once your body has allowed that bone to kind of grow and become its own, then we’ll talk about a dental implant.
Make Room in Your Upper Jaw for Implants
Before we place your implants, we start out by taking panoramic X-rays and 3-D scans to get a better understanding of your sinus ridge area. If we determine it’s necessary to perform a sinus lift, we can perform a procedure to give your mouth the structure it needs for successful implant placement.
Your periodontist may take one of two approaches, depending on what’s best for you:
- Vertical Sinus Lift – This minimally invasive approach is usually done while placing your implants. It works best if you need a little more height to accommodate an implant.
- Lateral Sinus Lift – With this procedure, your periodontist moves the sinus upward through a small opening in your jawbone. Bone grafting material is then placed there to set the foundation for a future implant.
Depending on the sinus lift needed for your implants, there may be some healing time. Once it has fully healed, we’ll place your implants. Then you can enjoy all the foods you love and better oral function.
It’s understandable to feel anxious about a sinus lift procedure. However, you can receive sedation to help you remain calm and stress-free. We also have private operatories so you feel comfortable and confident asking us any questions you may have about the procedure. You can even cozy up with a blanket or pillow during your appointment.
For sinus lifts in Lubbock, call 806-507-6906 for an appointment or request an appointment online. If you don’t have insurance, you can join our membership plan. You’ll pay an annual fee and save on our services.
