There are many good reasons to consider dental implant treatment. For one thing, you’ll be able to eat from an expanded menu of options thanks to their incredible bite power. For another, your dental implants can help prevent bone loss in your jaw.
“What does that have to do with a sinus lift?” You might be thinking.
A lot, actually. Your jawbone is at the center of your treatment plan. To see what we mean, keep reading. We’ll loop you in on the details.
Why is My Jawbone so Important for Dental Implants?
Natural teeth don’t just sit on top of your gums like a set of dentures. Rather, they’re anchored to your jawbone by dental roots. This keeps them in place and is part of why natural teeth are so strong and resilient.
Dental implants mimic this structure with a titanium post. Your dentist will root the post down to your jawbone, and over time, the bone will integrate with the titanium. That means that in order to successfully support dental implants, you need a strong jawbone.
Why Your Jawbone Might Not Be Able to Support Dental Implants
Unfortunately, if you’ve had a gap in your smile for a long time, there’s a good chance your jawbone has deteriorated around that area. When a portion of your jawbone doesn’t have a tooth to support, it retreats, thinking that it’s no longer needed. Your jawbone might also be diminished or weaker if it’s sustained previous damage from trauma, you’ve had a tumor removed from the area, or it’s thin due to plain ‘ol genetics.
A problem that can occur with low bone density in the upper jaw is that your sinuses would be too close to the implant placement zone. Without enough space to support the implant, the titanium post could poke into the sinus cavity – which is bad news for you and your new tooth. But don’t lose heart just yet! That’s where the sinus lift comes in.
How a Sinus Lift Can Help Make Way for Dental Implants
Basically, if your dentist is recommending getting a sinus lift before implant treatment, it’s likely because your upper jawbone is too thin or needs more room. During a sinus lift, your dentist will shift your sinuses upwards. They’ll then fill the space left behind with bone material, typically grafted from another bone in your body or a donor.
In the end, this treatment has the one-two punch effect of creating more room for your dental implants and providing them with more bone mass to cling to. Pretty neat, huh?
“Sure, but that sounds intense and painful!”
Your dentist is one step ahead of you. They don’t want you to be uncomfortable during your treatment. Local anesthesia and sedation applications will numb your mouth and help you relax. You might feel some pressure as your dentist works, but overall, the process should be smooth. Follow your dentist’s recovery instructions, and you’ll be all set for a successful dental implant placement!
About the Practice
Our team at the Cranford Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants prioritizes patient care. This means helping our patients feel welcome in our office and providing them with quality, personalized treatment plans. We’re proud to have not one, but two dental implant specialists on board! To contact our experts, call our office at 908-709-6777 or visit our website for more information.