Sinus lift surgery in the Bronx, NY is sometimes the only way you can get dental implants. This type of procedure is sensitive and difficult, so you need to rely on the best dental specialist in the Bronx, who also works on Saturday and Sunday. Our Bronx dental office is there for your surgery recovery. We are able to take care of any sinus lift complications that you may encounter, however rare.
Were you all ready to get your tooth implant, but you found out that there just isn’t enough room in your jaw? This is a fairly common problem. Sometimes, your sinus cavity drops down — especially if you’ve lost a tooth or had an extraction. Or maybe your sinuses just naturally sit lower than most people.
No matter what the reason, there’s a solution: sinus lift surgery. Also referred to as a sinus bump or a sinus augmentation, the sinus lift procedure is a surgical procedure that adds bone to your upper jaw. This extra bone is needed because your sinuses are situated right above your molars and premolars.
Sinus Lift to Add a Bone between Your Sinuses and Your Jaw
It’s possible that there’s just not enough bone height in your upper jaw, especially above your molars and back teeth. Another possibility is that your bones may have been compromised or weakened by gum disease. Gum disease is far more common than you think and may be working to damage your teeth without you even knowing.
Sinus lift surgery adds bone between your sinuses and your jaw. Your maxillary sinuses are located on either side of your nose. Your sinus membrane must be moved, or lifted, in a sinus lift procedure to make room for your dental work. This is a delicate procedure that is reserved for highly trained professionals, like your dentist at Dentist in the Bronx.
Getting a Sinus Lift
To build up your jaw and provide you with a lift of your sinuses, you need to undergo a bone graft. The bone that your dentist opts to use could come from a couple of different sources. All sources have been thoroughly tested, studied and extensively used. They include the following:
- Autogenous is bone that’s taken from another part of your body
- Allograft is donor bone, often taken from a cadaver
- Xenograft is harvested from animals, mainly cows
After giving you numbing medication or mild anesthesia, if necessary, your dentist (open on Sunday) makes an incision behind your back teeth. The gum tissue is lifted out of the way to expose your bone. Your membrane lining is what separates your sinus cavity from your jaw. Once your dentist reaches the membrane lining, he’s able to gently push it up and away from your jaw.
The graft material is then packed into the space your sinus occupied. The amount of bone that’s necessary varies from person to person, but the whole point of the graft material is to hold your sinus safely in place. Once everything is situated where it’s supposed to be, your gum is neatly closed with stitches. After your sinus lift has a chance to fully heal, you can have your implants put in. This typically takes about three to four months.
Good to Know
If your own bone is used for your sinus lift, there are a couple of parts of your body where bone may be harvested from. The bone can be removed from your mouth, hip or knee. Our qualified dental specialists take X-rays of your sinus to study its anatomy.
The assessment of your sinuses is vital to the overall procedure because it ensures that everything goes as smoothly and as pain-free as possible. Your Bronx dentists (open on Saturday) are trained both as general dentists and cosmetic dentists, which means they always maintain a concern for both your oral health and your appearance. Their care leads to a successful sinus lift.
Recovery and Aftercare
The trick to the procedure is to very gently lift the sinuses without tearing or puncturing your sinus membrane. Though rare, sinus lift complications can happen. If your sinus is torn or damaged during the procedure, your surgeon patches or stitches the sinus back together. This sinus lift complication can be upsetting and uncomfortable. But the tear in your sinus will heal. Your complete sinus lift recovery may take a couple of months, but it will get better.
As with all surgical procedures, there’s a risk of infection. During your sinus lift recovery, you’ll need to take antibiotics, as directed by your dentist. You should contact your dentist (open on Saturday) if your pain and swelling get worse or if you’re still bleeding after a couple of days. You’ve found a dentist open on Sunday too, so even if your complications occur on the weekend, your dentist can handle your dental emergencies.
Do you have any questions about the sinus lift surgery? Would you like to schedule an appointment with a top-rated dentist? Please contact our Dental office in the Bronx for a consultation.