CONSERVATIVE SINUS LIFTS

Preparing For Dental Implants

Go Dental in Valencia, CA is proud to offer conservative sinus lifts. Dental implants are a great option for patients who have missing teeth to restore both the function and aesthetics of their smiles.

Sinus lifts

In order for dental implants to be placed, there must be significant bone support to secure the artificial tooth root. Often when patients lose their upper back teeth, the air-filled sinus cavity becomes enlarged, removing bone support in this area of the mouth. A conservative sinus lift aims to return the sinus cavity to its original size and complete a bone graft so that dental implants may be placed.

HOW DO DENTAL IMPLANTS WORK?

Dental implants are titanium, screw-like artificial tooth roots that are placed and later merged to the jaw bone. Once the artificial tooth root has merged with the jaw bone, a tooth replacement crown can be attached to the root, functioning like your natural tooth. The key to successful dental implants is strong underlying bone support— without this bone, artificial tooth roots cannot be placed. When patients lose their upper back teeth, the sinus cavity expands, eliminating this bone support. Before artificial tooth roots can be placed, you may require sinus lifts wherein the sinus cavity must be reduced to its original size, and a bone graft must be performed to provide ample support for the implant.

White Fillings

Fillings repair cavities, or holes in the teeth caused by the buildup of bacteria. At Go Dental, we only use white fillings, which naturally blend with your teeth.

Crowns fit over the remaining tooth to restore broken and damaged teeth. Crowns come in different sizes, and your dentist might need to shave down your existing tooth underneath to ensure the crown will fit.

A dental bridge is a dental prosthetic made up of artificial teeth with crows on either side. Bridges are used to replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth.

Dentures are a permanent option to replace missing teeth. Partial dentures are used in patients who have some existing teeth. Full dentures are used when all the teeth are missing.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A CONSERVATIVE SINUS LIFT PROCEDURE

At Go Dental, we understand that undergoing a surgical procedure can be a nerve-wracking experience. Our compassionate team is here to thoroughly educate you about your procedure and help you feel at ease every step of the way. Conservative sinus lifts typically occur in the following order:

Sedation

Prior to beginning the procedure, your dentist will use an oral, topical and/or IV sedation method to help you relax and numb the area. It is important to arrange a ride to and from your procedure.

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Once you have been sedated and numbed, your dentist will make a small incision into the gum tissue in the upper back corner of the mouth. Your dentist will then take a small amount of bone from this area, lifting it up into the sinus cavity to restore the membrane to its original size.

Following the sinus lift, your dentist will then take a small portion of bone from another part of your body, or from synthetic material, to the area to provide support for dental implants in the future.

Your dentist will apply sutures to the incision site and give you detailed post-op instructions to take home.

RECOVERY FROM A CONSERVATIVE LIFT PROCEDURE

Your dentist at Go Dental will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to help you recover as comfortably and quickly as possible. Typically, patients must wait 4 to 12 months after a conservative sinus lift procedure to have dental implants placed. Your dentist at Go Dental will monitor your recovery process and determine when you are ready for your dental implant procedure.