If you’re considering dental implants but have experienced bone loss over time, you may need a sinus lift. This isn’t as big a deal as it may sound: Sinus lift procedures make room for the natural process of bone regrowth. They’re essentially the dental equivalent of putting on weight following a wasting illness. You’ve shrunk; you need to build yourself back up to a healthy size. There’s nothing controversial about that.
So it goes with a sinus lift. It’s a procedure dentists use to create space in your upper jaw, giving you the foundation needed for dental implants.
What Is a Sinus Lift?
If you’ve been missing teeth for an extended period, you’re at risk for resorption. This is the technical term for the jawbone deterioration that occurs when you no longer have tooth roots helping to stimulate bone growth. Symptoms of resorption include:
- Bite changes
- Facial structure changes
- Headaches and jaw pain
- Loose teeth
- Wrinkles around your mouth
To halt resorption, you need to replicate that tooth-jawbone connection. Dental implants do just that. They don’t just replace the visible tooth. They also replace the missing roots, keeping your jawbone strong.
The issue, however, is that traditional dental implants require a level of bone density you may no longer have. If that’s the case, what can you do? In these instances, we may recommend a sinus lift to build up the jawbone so dental implants are possible.
During a sinus lift surgery, the sinus membrane above your upper molars is gently lifted to create space for a bone graft and, ideally, dental implants. Sometimes, a sinus lift is needed not due to bone loss, but to simply reposition the sinus so an implant can be placed correctly.
There are different types of sinus lift procedures. We use the “lateral window technique” when you need a substantial amount of bone added. It works like this:
- Dr. Tillmann makes an incision in your gums to expose the bone.
- A small “window” is cut in the bone.
- This bone is lifted into your sinus cavity.
- The space underneath is then filled with bone graft material.
- Dr. Tillmann closes the incision, and you can begin the healing process.
While each individual recovers differently, the healing process following a traditional sinus lift typically takes between 4 and 12 months. In this time, the bone graft integrates with your natural bone, creating a stronger foundation for dental implants.
Sinus Lifts and Dental Implants
When it comes to getting dental implants, a sinus lift can turn “not possible” into “absolutely.” This treatment can give you the opportunity to restore your smile with strong, stable teeth. By creating the bone support your implants need, a sinus lift helps ensure your new teeth look natural, feel secure, and last for many years.
With sufficient bone support, dental implants can anchor many types of restorations, including:
- Dentures: Traditional dentures are prone to loosening, and for some, they make it difficult to speak and smile. They often require dental adhesives, which can be uncomfortable and wear off throughout the day. Implant dentures keep dentures in place without the need for messy adhesives. The prosthetic simply snaps onto dental implants for much improved stability.
- Bridges: Dental bridges replace teeth where they’ve been lost side by side. Traditional bridges rely on healthy natural teeth for support, which can put extra strain on them. Implant bridges, on the other hand, attach to dental implants for greater stability and a stronger bite.
- Crowns: Dentists use traditional crowns to cover teeth that are too damaged for fillings. But implant-supported crowns replace a single missing tooth.
When you choose an implant-supported prosthetic, you can look forward to greater comfort, stability, and aesthetics!
Mini Dental Implants: No Need for a Sinus Lift?
Sinus lifts help strengthen your jawbone to the extent required to place traditional implants. But they can be costly. They’re also another step in the implant process, one that requires an extended period of healing.
There’s another option, however. Mini dental implants are often half the size of traditional implants. Due to their smaller size and simpler placement technique, 90% of patients don’t require bone grafting before mini dental implant placement. Likewise, it’s uncommon to need a sinus lift for mini implants.
That means more patients are now eligible for implants, without the need for invasive surgery! This broader accessibility is just one major benefit of mini dental implants. Other points mini implants have in their favor include:
- Reduced cost: Mini dental implants cost less than their traditional counterparts, especially since they seldom demand bone grafting or sinus lifts.
- Greater comfort: You’ll experience immediate stability and a short recovery time since mini implants don’t require gum incisions—just tiny pilot holes.
- Less invasive method: Mini dental implants require a far less invasive procedure than traditional implants due to their small size and single-piece design.
- Quick placement: Dr. Tillmann can place mini dental implants in just one visit.
- High success rates: Mini dental implants are a reliable option for replacing teeth with success rates as high as 99%.
If you’re worried you’ve experienced too much bone loss to get dental implants, you may still be eligible for mini implants! Before you rule out implants, give us a call.
Discuss Your Options With Dr. Tillmann Today!
Mini dental implants open the door to tooth replacement options that may not have been possible with traditional implants. Because they’re so small, Dr. Tillmann can often place mini implants using the bone you already have, which means you can usually skip the bone grafts and sinus lifts. The result is faster, gentler, and more affordable tooth replacement.
If you’re ready to explore whether mini dental implants are the right solution for you, schedule a free consultation with Dr. Tillmann today. With advanced imaging and a thorough exam, he’ll create a personalized plan that gets you smiling again!
