Bone recession and your natural anatomy can place the maxillary sinuses too close to the upper jaw to safely accommodate a dental implant.
A sinus lift can safely reposition the sinus membrane and add bone tissue so you can take advantage of an implant-supported restoration.
Why would I consider this surgery?
Like tooth roots, dental implants require a certain amount of bone tissue for support. Without adequate bone tissue, dental implants may not be an option for you.
Dental implants halt the bone recession that follows tooth loss. With proper care, your augmented upper jaw will retain its bone tissue, allowing you to experience the benefits of implants for decades.
Depending on the state of your upper jaw, placing implants could easily harm the maxillary sinuses without first undergoing a sinus lift.
Here’s how it works:
*According to a study published in Clinical Oral Implants Research.
Let’s break it down…
What does a sinus lift cost?
Despite the benefits dental implants provide, the procedure and preparatory treatments rarely qualify for insurance coverage. A sinus lift can cost about $1,600 to $2,400 per side, and implants can each cost up to $3,000, not including the restoration. However, you must consider that a traditional denture will need regular adjustments as the jaw changes shape. Each adjustment incurs a fee, and can require you to wear a temporary denture in some cases. Meanwhile, the denture will remain prone to slipping when you are eating and speaking. The time and hassle you can avoid by choosing dental implants can justify the price, and there are many low-interest and interest-free financing options available to help you budget for the procedure.
What does a sinus lift involve?
The Sinus Lift Procedure
Your dentist will take x-rays to determine how much of a lift is necessary.
On the day of surgery, you will receive local anesthesia and sedation to ensure your comfort. Next, an incision is placed in the gums, exposing the bone tissue that serves as the sinus wall.
A “window” incision is created in the bone, and the sinus membrane is gently lifted.
Grafting material is used to fill the resulting space.
During a healing period that can take four months to a year, the graft will become integrated with the jaw and spur the growth of new bone tissue.
Once your dentist has determined that the graft has completely healed and you can safely receive implants, he or she can begin planning your implant placement surgery.
Is there another option?
If your dentist believes that your sinuses lay too close to the treatment site to safely place standard dental implants, there are shorter implants that may be a viable option. However, there are conflicting reports regarding the effectiveness of these implants. Some studies have shown that they are not as strong, while others have found comparable success rates when short implants are used to support dentures. Your dentist can help you make an informed choice.
A sinus lift can greatly extend your treatment timeline, but the benefits can justify the additional investment of time and money. Talk to your dentist today about your candidacy for dental implants.