For the dental implant procedure to be successful it is crucial that the patient’s mouth is assessed for bone levels in the implantation area. Previously where the levels of bone and gum tissue were insufficient patients would be informed that they were poor candidates for dental implant surgery and sent on their way. Nowadays this is not the case as there are various complementary surgeries which can help to improve the success of your procedure. Sinus Augmentation is one such procedure. Read on to find out more.
Why is Sinus Augmentation necessary?
The upper back jaw is commonly affected by gum disease and tooth loss which can all result in less than adequate bone left in the implantation area. This is a large problem in this area of the mouth as the bone loss occurs so close to the sinus floor. A sinus augmentation is a procedure which aims to rectify the effects of tooth loss in the upper back jaw by raising the sinus floor and developing further bone to promote a successful dental implant procedure.
How is the procedure done?
There are several sinus augmentation techniques which can be utilized however the most common technique is to create an incision to expose the bone and place a small hole in the bone. The cut piece of bone is then lifted into the sinus cavity and space underneath is filled with bone graft material. The opening is then stitched and left to heal.
What is the expected healing time?
6 months is the regular healing time but depending on your individual situation your healing may take a shorter or longer time. This is usually the time necessary for the bone graft material to completely integrate with the existing bone area. In some cases, the implant can be placed at the same time the sinus is augmented thus shortening the overall procedure time.
Sinus augmentation is a common surgery which is found to greatly increase the chances of a successful dental implant procedure. There are various other methods utilized which improve the dental implant procedure. Gum grafting is one of them – read our article on gum grafting to find out more.