Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry

Sinus Lift

A sinus lift or sinus augmentation is quite a common and frequent dental surgical procedure. When you lose a tooth, the vacant tooth socket collapses as it recovers from the loss, leaving a toothless area. This collapse then causes a loss in height and width of the affected jawbone, which makes it impossible to proceed successfully with a dental implant for restoration.

A sinus lift simply corrects and improves the area of your upper jaw in between your premolars and molars. The sinus is in the area in your cheeks on both sides of your nose, between your jaw and the maxillary sinuses. Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry can lift the sinus membrane to allow space for jawbone growth.

Your compassionate team at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is wholly committed to providing you, your family, and every patient with comprehensive periodontal care that improves your oral health and daily function. We pride ourselves on offering a safe, comfortable, and relaxing environment to ensure all patients receive the personalized care and treatment that is expected and deserved. You will find us to excel in effective communication, both in listening and sharing examination objectives. With our initiative-taking engagement in the dental industry and the constant innovative technological improvements offered, each exam and corresponding treatment is completely personalized. Call Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at 502-570-5700 with any questions or to make an appointment for a sinus lift evaluation.

A sinus lift is an essential component of a bone grafting procedure that prepares your jaw for a dental implant because your sinuses are too close to your jawbone. By just lifting your sinuses up and away ever so slightly from your jawbone, sufficient space is now created for your jawbone to increase in density and mass, such that it will now be able to support your new dental implant.

Are You a Candidate for a Sinus Lift Procedure?

A sinus lift could be necessary if:

  • You are missing one or several teeth in the back of your arch.
  • An X-ray has confirmed you have lost a significant amount of bone mass in the back of your jaw.
  • Some teeth are missing because of a birth defect or health condition.
  • You are missing a noteworthy part of your upper jaw and require more support for dental implants.

The Sinus Lift Procedure

Before we start your procedure, the team at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will administer a local anesthetic to the immediate area. Once sufficiently numb, we gain access to your jawbone by making a small incision in the molar or premolar areas. We then make a tiny opening in your jawbone. This now allows us to reach the membrane that lines your sinus. That membrane is now literally lifted. The space that is created with this movement is filled with bone grafting material. Synthetic materials are used quite often, which simulate bone qualities. Once the bone grafting material is placed, the opening is sutured closed, and the wound heals naturally. Over a few months, the bone grafting material is absorbed, bonded, integrated, and becomes part of your jawbone. After this integration process is completed, you will have the bone density and mass needed to successfully support stable dental implants.

The expected healing time for the sinus lift procedure is around four months. After your healing is finished, the dental implant process can be initiated to surgically place the implants in your restored jawbone. The bone graft procedure has rectified the atrophy, allowing for the successful placement of dental implants.

What Bone Grafting Material is Used for a Sinus Lift?

Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will first perform a thorough examination, which includes x-rays or CT scans to identify and determine the best treatment for your case. We could use your own bone, harvesting the graft from within your mouth or another part of your body, like a hip or below your knee. Often, we determine it is best to use synthetic materials. We may choose to include an advanced, new bone grafting material that introduces a special protein to accelerate and promote bone growth. We could also use growth factors from your own blood to advance your healing.

Post-Procedure Care

Post-operative care following your sinus lift with Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is important to reduce discomfort and avoid unnecessary complications, such as swelling or an infection. A crucial thing to be aware of is to avoid blowing your nose for a month. You also need to do everything possible to avoid sneezing. If you suffer from allergies, a decongestant certainly will be helpful with normal sinus issues.

Other than these tips, immediately after your sinus lift, you need to be attentive and make sure the gauze pad on the surgery area remains in place and is changed regularly until your bleeding stops. It is also essential for your healing naturally to avoid brushing the area or rinsing for some time following surgery, as doing so can cause the bleeding to start again. It is fine to start brushing your teeth the day after your surgery, but be gentle, do not brush too hard, and purchase a new soft bristle toothbrush if you do not have one.

Your Smile is Our Number One Priority

Our treatment philosophy at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is focused on patient education and the enhancement of your quality of life. We provide gentle, affordable, and painless periodontal care. We prioritize providing each patient with the information they need to make confident, informed decisions regarding their personal oral health treatment. Our experience is foundational in giving you restoratively minded periodontal treatment customized for your unique needs.

Our team specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants. We consider ourselves experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. We have received extensive education and training in these areas. We are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and we are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

You can find Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at:

107 Frazier Ct., 1D, Georgetown, KY

Or call us today at 502-570-5700