Why do I need a sinus lift?
Frequently patients missing teeth in the upper back molar or premolar areas do not have the necessary bone for dental implant placement. With a missing tooth in the back upper jaw, the sinus can begins to occupy the space where the previously positioned tooth root was positioned. With insufficient bone for implant stability, a small opening in the bone can be made and bone placed above the tooth roots to allow stable implant placement in the upper jaw.
Depending on the amount of bone present and only if needed for implants, Drs. Pace, Sullivan, and Pace Jr. will decide which of two types of sinus lift procedures is best for your dental plan. If little bone is present below the sinus, a small window is made from the side above the tooth roots, and bone is placed above the gently pushed up sinus floor. Healing is preferred for several months prior to implant placement in this scenario. In cases with some but just not quite enough bone to surround the entire implant, graft material can be pushed up through the created implant site and the implant placed immediately following the graft placement. This method leads to a much shorter treatment time from the beginning of treatment to restoring the missing space with a permanent implant crown. Drs. Pace, Sullivan, and Pace Jr. would love to discuss your treatment options with you and can easily examine your bone levels in the office by quickly obtaining a Cone Beam Computed Topography (CBCT) image of your upper jaw and sinuses if necessary.