Bone grafting and sinus lifts
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that involves building up jaw bone to support dental implants. If a patient does not have sufficient healthy jaw bone, bone grafting may be recommended to build a secure foundation for implants. Insufficient jaw bone can be the result of gum disease, tooth loss or dental trauma. Bone grafting involves taking bone from other areas of the patient’s mouth or from a donor source and placing it in the areas where bone has been lost to rebuild the bone structure. A membrane is then placed on the bone and left to heal over time to encourage bone regeneration.
A sinus lift, also known as a sinus augmentation surgery, is a bone grafting procedure used to restore upper jaw bone for the insertion of dental implants. When a patient has missing teeth in their upper jaw, this can cause the jaw bone to shrink and the sinus space to expand, leading to insufficient bone for dental implants.
During a sinus lift, an incision is made in the gingival tissue, the sinus membrane is lifted and the area is filled with bone graft material which integrates with surrounding tissue over time. On average, sinus lifts and bone grafts require around three to nine months to heal before dental implants can be inserted, however, healing times vary between patients. For patients who otherwise would not be good candidates for dental implants, bone grafting and sinus lifts make this treatment option possible. If you would like to discuss the most suitable treatment for you, contact the team to arrange a consultation.