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Sinus Lift for Dental Implants in Tacoma

A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation, is a procedure that may be recommended when there is not enough bone in the upper jaw to support a dental implant. At Tacoma Dental Hub, patients can receive an evaluation to determine whether additional bone support may be needed before implant treatment.

What Is a Sinus Lift?

A sinus lift is a surgical procedure used to increase available bone in the upper jaw near the back teeth.

The maxillary sinuses are air-filled spaces located behind the cheekbones and above the upper back teeth. After tooth loss, the bone in this area can become thinner, and the sinus may extend downward into the space where an implant would otherwise be placed.

A sinus lift can add bone material between the jaw and the sinus to create additional support for future dental implant treatment.

Sinus lift procedure for dental implant preparation

What Happens During a Sinus Lift?

The exact approach depends on the amount of bone available and the treatment plan.

Examination and Imaging

Your dentist or oral surgery provider evaluates the upper jaw and sinus area. Dental imaging helps determine bone height and the position of the sinus.

Treatment Planning

If additional bone is needed, your provider explains the recommended approach and discusses the timing of the sinus lift and future implant treatment.

Accessing the Treatment Area

Depending on the technique, access may be created through the jawbone beneath the sinus. The sinus lining is carefully moved upward to create space for graft material.

Placement of Bone Graft Material

Bone replacement material is placed in the prepared space. The material provides a framework that can support new bone formation.

What Can You Expect During Recovery?

Healing varies from person to person and depends on the procedure performed.

Your dental provider will give specific instructions for protecting the surgical area and supporting healing.

Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor the treated area and determine when the next phase of implant treatment can proceed.

Do not assume that every patient has the same recovery timeline. Your provider will explain what to expect based on your individual procedure.

Dentist discussing oral surgery treatment with a patient

Dental Care Conveniently Located in Tacoma

Tacoma Dental Hub is located at 6003 Tacoma Mall Blvd, Tacoma, WA 98409, making our office convenient for patients in Tacoma and nearby communities. Contact our office to discuss your dental implant treatment plan and determine whether additional bone support may be needed.

Our Location

6003 Tacoma Mall Blvd, Tacoma, WA 98409

Front reception desk welcoming patients at Exceptional Dental Care in Tacoma, WA

Why Is Adequate Bone Important for Implants?

A dental implant is placed into the jawbone, so adequate bone volume and quality are important parts of implant treatment planning.

When bone height is limited in the upper back jaw, sinus augmentation may provide additional space for bone formation and create a more suitable foundation for implant placement.

Explore Our Oral Surgery Services

Crown Lengthening Surgery

A crown-lengthening procedure may be used to expose more tooth structure when additional tooth surface is needed for a restoration.

Extractions

A severely damaged or non-restorable tooth may require extraction before replacement treatment.

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting may help restore or build bone in areas where additional support is needed for certain dental treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sinus lift?
A sinus lift is a procedure that adds bone in the upper jaw near the maxillary sinus when additional bone height may be needed for dental implant placement.
A sinus lift may be recommended when there is not enough bone height in the upper back jaw to provide adequate support for the planned implant.
No. A sinus lift is only considered when the available bone and treatment plan indicate that additional bone support may be needed.
Healing time varies depending on the procedure, the amount of grafting required, and individual healing. Your dental provider will provide a personalized timeline.
In some situations, implant placement and sinus augmentation may be performed together. In other cases, the graft is allowed to heal before the implant is placed.

Explore Your Implant Treatment Options

If you have been told that you do not have enough bone for an upper-jaw dental implant, a professional evaluation can help determine whether a sinus lift or another treatment option may be appropriate. Contact Tacoma Dental Hub to discuss your options.

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