Sinus Lift – Dumfries, VA

Preparing You for a New Smile

These days, dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. Because of their unique placement inside the jawbone, they provide unmatched stability and durability! However, Dr. Shinwari may find that you need to undergo certain preliminary treatments before moving forward with the implant process. One common procedure that’s often necessary is a sinus lift. If you’d like to learn more about this surgery and why it’s necessary for successful implant treatment, continue reading or give our office a call today!

Why Choose Oral & Facial Surgery Center of Virginia for Sinus Lifts?

  • Calming Sedation Dentistry Available
  • Performed by a Highly Skilled and Experienced Team
  • Fully Personalized Treatment Plans

Indications for Sinus Lifts

dentist looking at X-ray

There are many reasons why you may need to undergo sinus lift surgery in Dumfries. In some cases, it may have to do with the natural anatomy of your skull. The upper jaw usually has less bone compared to the lower jaw, which is why there often isn’t a sufficient level of bone density for implant surgery.

Another common issue is bone loss in the area where dental implants need to be placed. While bone loss can be a consequence of gum disease, it can also be a result of the lack of jawbone stimulation. It happens when teeth have been missing for a long time.

Sometimes, the sinus cavity may be too close to the upper jawbone. This can be an issue when trying to get dental implants. If we attempt to place dental implants under these circumstances, it could cause them to protrude into the sinuses.

Sinus Lift Surgery

3D illustration of sinus lift surgery

First, Dr. Shinwari will thoroughly numb the area to ensure you’re completely comfortable. He’ll create a small opening in the gum tissue to expose the bone. Then, he will lift the membrane lining the sinuses up and away from the jawbone so that the grafting material can be placed. The grafting material may be taken from elsewhere in your body or come from a donor. Once it’s placed, he’ll close the gum tissue with sutures.

It's common to experience mild swelling and bleeding following a sinus lift procedure. You can manage these side effects with prescribed medication and an antimicrobial mouthwash. Rinsing your mouth with an antibiotic mouthwash will help greatly lower your risk of infection.

After your surgery, you’ll have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Shinwari to ensure your mouth is healing properly. It can take anywhere from 4-9 months for your mouth to fully recover after a sinus lift. Once you’re completely healed, we can move forward with dental implant surgery!