Sinus Lift

Part of the dental implant consultation process at Noles Family Dental in Greensburg, Indiana involves assessing whether there is enough bone in the jaw to anchor and support the implant. If there isn’t enough bone in the upper jaw to support a dental implant, you may need a sinus lift.

What Is a Sinus Lift?

Bone loss is extremely common in the upper jaw, especially in the back area around the molars. A sinus lift, sometimes called a sinus augmentation, is a surgical procedure that will add bone mass to the upper jaw. The additional bone mass will serve as an anchor or support for a dental implant.

Some patients may not have suffered bone loss, but their sinuses may be located too close to the jaw bone for dental implants. A sinus lift shifts or “lifts” the sinuses and adds additional bone mass so there is enough room for the proper placement of a dental implant.

Who Needs a Sinus Lift?

Not every patient who wants dental implants will need a sinus lift. When creating a treatment plan for patients who are getting dental implants, our dentists, Drs. Noles, Estes, and Steinhauer use X-rays and other imaging to determine if there is enough bone to support a dental implant.

There are several reasons you may have lost bone in the upper jaw. Periodontal disease and tooth loss are the most common reasons for bone loss in the upper jaw.

Is a Sinus Lift Done as Part of the Dental Implant Procedure or a Separate Procedure?

How much bone loss you have in the upper jaw will determine whether or not a sinus lift needs to be performed as a separate procedure before you can get dental implants. If there is significant bone loss and our dentists, Drs. Noles, Estes, and Steinhauer feel there isn’t enough bone to support a dental implant, it may be recommended that you get a sinus lift and then come back in a few months to have the dental implants placed.

For some of our patients, there may be enough bone to support a dental implant. However, a sinus lift may be recommended as a precaution or to increase the chance of success of a dental implant. In these situations, our dentist may be able to perform the sinus lift and the dental implant in the same procedure.

At your consultation, our dentists can provide you with a better understanding of when a sinus lift will need to be performed and how long you may have to wait for dental implant placement.

Contact Our Greensburg Dental Office With Your Sinus Lift Questions

We understand there are a lot of questions and concerns surrounding this type of procedure. At Noles Family Dental, our dental staff is available to answer any questions you may have about a sinus lift. Feel free to use the Contact Us form online, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

If you would like a personal consultation for dental implants or a sinus lift, call our office to request an appointment. We look forward to helping you improve and restore your smile.