Loss of posterior teeth may result in excessive forces being placed on your remaining teeth. Fortunately, the use of dental implants and crowns allow you to replace these missing teeth. However, the position of the sinus in the upper posterior areas may be too low for proper placement of dental implants.
A simple procedure allows the sinus floor to be repositioned, creating enough space to properly place an implant. Various grafting materials are used to encourage your bone to grow more quickly into the area, helping to stabilize the dental implant.
Under certain conditions, an even simpler procedure can be utilized. When possible, the bone remaining under the sinus floor is gently pushed up, thus lifting the floor of the dropped sinus. Bone replacement materials are then placed beneath this lifted bone.
Sinus augmentation procedures are highly predictable, with studies reporting over 95% success. When needed, the sinus lift procedure is often completed when a dental implant is placed.