Sinus Lift
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Cannon Oral Surgery
Brandon Cannon, DDS
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon located in Chattanooga, TN
If you need a dental implant after losing a tooth or as part of another procedure like getting a crown or bridge but don’t have enough upper jawbone to support a titanium post for the implant, a sinus lift can help. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with extensive oral surgery experience, Brandon Cannon, DDS, uses the safest and most advanced techniques to perform sinus lifts at Cannon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Chattanooga, Tennessee. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, call the office or book online today.
Sinus Lift Q&A
What is a sinus lift?
A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that augments the bone in your upper jaw near your middle and back teeth, also known as the premolars and molars. During this procedure, bone is added to the area between the jaw itself and the sinuses on either side of your nose. It’s called a “lift” because the membrane separating the sinuses from the oral cavity must be lifted or raised in order to perform the procedure.
Sinus lift procedures require great attention to detail, which is why you should consult Dr. Cannon and his experienced team at Cannon Oral Surgery if you need this procedure.
When are sinus lifts needed?
Sinus lifts are performed primarily to help support dental implants when there’s not enough natural bone present or when your sinus cavities are too close to your jaw, which can interfere with the implant’s integrity. You may experience bone loss in your upper jaw due to periodontal (gum) disease or as the result of bone atrophy after tooth loss, especially if the tooth has been missing for some time.
When the bone is no longer needed to support a missing tooth, it’s gradually reabsorbed into your body. In some cases, this lost bone tissue must be replaced with a graft before implants can be placed. Additionally, the back portion of your upper jaw naturally has less bone mass than your lower jaw, which can make it more likely you’d need a bone graft in that area.
How is a sinus lift performed?
After giving you an anesthetic, Dr. Cannon begins your sinus lift with an incision into your gum. He then pulls the gum tissue back to provide access to the bony exterior wall of your sinus. Next, he makes a small opening in the bone, and your sinus membrane is carefully lifted so he can place the bone graft material, after which he replaces the membrane and close the incisions.
Immediately following the procedure, you’ll experience swelling in your sinus area and may bleed from your nose or mouth. These side effects should subside on their own relatively quickly.
For more information on sinus lifts and how they can help support dental implants, call Cannon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery or request a consultation online today.