If you’re considering dental implant treatment, you may have heard of a sinus lift before. This procedure involves accessing your maxillary sinuses within the maxilla bone, gently lifting the sinus membrane upward and out of the way for dental implants. Afterward, your implant dentist will fill the empty space left by the sinus membrane with bone grafting material. The material then facilitates bone growth, rebuilding lost bone over time. However, many patients are nervous about sinus lifts, as they’re relatively invasive and time-consuming. At Bivona Family Dental, we may be able to use a sinus bump instead of a sinus lift, effectively performing the same procedure less invasively.
What Is a Sinus Bump?
Your paranasal sinuses are large air-filled cavities that help humidify the air you breathe. Maxillary sinuses are the largest of the paranasal sinuses, located just underneath the eyes and ending above your upper jawbone.
In contrast, dental implants are titanium screws that we place in your jawbone to replace missing teeth. But to stay secure, these implants require ample jawbone material. For patients with thinner bone, they risk penetrating their maxillary sinus membrane with a dental implant, unless they undergo a sinus augmentation procedure.
Unfortunately, a direct sinus lift can be invasive and unwelcome for many patients. But with an indirect sinus lift, or sinus bump procedure, we create the same effect without all the hassle!
A sinus bump involves creating an opening in your jaw, but from where we would already be placing an implant. Then, using special tools, we will carefully lift the membrane upwards.
In some cases, you may not need bone grafting material placed afterward to fill the space. But often, you will need some bone grafting to rebuild that bone. Fortunately, in many cases, we place your implant screw with the bone graft, accelerating your healing process!
Why You May Need a Sinus Bump
Some patients are born with large sinuses that drop down near their upper jawbone. Others may be experiencing jawbone loss, causing their maxillary sinuses to shift downward. Either way, if your sinuses are too close to your jaw, they can create an obstacle for dental implant treatment.
During your free implant consultation with us at Bivona Family Dental in Jasper, AL, we will take a 3D digital X-ray of your jaw. The image allows us to assess your bone in great detail, inspecting its quality and quantity, as well as the location of your sinuses.
If your maxillary sinuses are too close to your upper jawbone, and your jaw is deteriorated, we may need to use a sinus lift. However, if your jaw is in better condition, we may only need to use a sinus bump! This process is much less invasive, resulting in less post-operative discomfort and faster healing.
To learn if you’ll need a sinus bump before beginning your procedure, you’ll need to come in for a free implant consultation. There, we will determine what your needs are and create a custom treatment plan for your smile.
The Dental Implant Placement Process
During your free consultation, we will determine whether you’re eligible for dental implants and if you need any additional procedures like a sinus bump or bone grafting. Once your sinus bump is complete, your implant placement process is simple.
We place the implant body first, or the screw that embeds in your jawbone. Over time, the biocompatible titanium of the implant screw will integrate with your bone, creating a strong foundation. Once your implant is secure enough, we’ll place the abutment, or connector piece, on top. This abutment is what allows restorations like crowns, bridges, and dentures to secure to your implant.
At first, you’ll need to wear a temporary, but functional, restoration on your implants. But once your implant is fully integrated with your jaw, we’ll replace it with a final, custom-crafted version!
Implant-supported restorations are incredibly secure, allowing you to eat the foods you love without hesitation. If you’re interested in dental implant treatment, we recommend booking a free implant consultation with us in Jasper, AL. There, we’ll help you determine the best next steps to restoring your smile.
Visit Us in Jasper, AL, To Learn if You Need a Sinus Bump
The idea of a sinus lift can sound scary to those considering dental implant treatment. But at Bivona Family Dental, we may be able to use a sinus bump instead! This procedure is less invasive and time-consuming, accelerating your implant placement process. And once your sinuses are out of the way, we can place your implants to begin the process of restoring your smile. Book your free consultation in Jasper, AL, today to learn if you’ll need a sinus bump for implant treatment.
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