A letter on coronavirus awareness from Cameo Dental Specialists

Sinus Lifts and Dental Implants
Chicago Area

Smiling woman with perfect teeth at Cameo Dental Specialists in the Chicago area.

When you are missing teeth, they need to be replaced.

Dental implants are one of the latest options available for tooth replacement, and one of the most popular.

However, before going through the process of getting a dental implant, it is wise to do some of your own research to see whether dental implants are safe.

They provide many benefits over traditional tooth replacement options.

Implants require a surgical procedure, during which titanium rods are inserted into your jawbone. As you heal, your bone fuses to the implants. However, for this fusion (called osseointegration) to be successful, you need to have sufficient bone mass in your jaw.

Otherwise, the implants are likely to fail. For teeth in your upper jaw, there is an additional issue. With insufficient bone mass, implants can pierce your maxillary sinuses, leading to chronic sinus infections.

At Bite Lock, we can restore bone mass in your upper jaw, making implants possible, with a sinus lift.

What is a Sinus Lift?

Your head has several sinus cavities. Your maxillary sinuses are located just behind your cheeks, right above your upper teeth. The roots of some of your teeth extend up toward these sinus cavities. When they are lost or extracted, this leaves only a thin layer of bone to separate your jaw from the sinus cavities.

Dental implants require sufficient bone mass for successful fusion. When you are replacing teeth near your sinus cavities, there is a risk that the titanium rods can pierce right through the membrane, leaving you susceptible to chronic sinus infections, along with other problems.

To avoid this issue, a sinus lift is often performed. This procedure involves lifting the floor of the sinus cavity and filling the space with bone graft material.

Bone Grafts

There are a few different types of bone graft that can be used for your sinus lift:

•	Autogenous. This type of bone graft uses your bone, usually from your hip or tibia.
•	Allogenic. The bone for this graft is taken from a donor.
•	Xenogenic. Bone material from an entirely different species is used. Before use, it is processed at extremely high temperatures to prevent rejection and infections.
•	Synthetic bone materials.

How is the Procedure Done?

The sinus lift is performed similarly to other types of bone grafts for dental implants. Before we begin, we administer a local anesthetic to the surgical site(s). If we are using your bone material, we harvest it first. Incisions are made in your gums. The tissue is pulled back to expose your jawbone and the sinus wall. We then lift the floor of the sinus cavity and place the graft material as needed. When we are finished, we stitch your gums closed. Healing can take several months to a year. When you have healed, we can move forward with dental implants.

Are You a Candidate?

You may be eligible for a sinus lift if:

•	You are missing several teeth in the back of your upper jaw, near the maxillary sinus cavity.
•	You have lost significant bone mass in your upper jaw (which can be determined with digital imaging).
•	You are missing several teeth in your upper jaw, and you need additional support.

If you are interested in dental implants, but you have suffered a significant bone loss in your upper jaw, a sinus lift procedure may be able to help. Contact us at (708) 456-7787 to schedule your consultation today.

Call Cameo Dental Specialists today to schedule an appointment at one of our convenient locations in La Grange, River Forest, Berwyn and West Loop serving the Pilsen, Hinsdale, Westchester, Western Springs, Elmhurst, The Loop, South Loop, West Town, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, River North, Humboldt Park, Wrigleyville, Little Village, Cicero and other Chicago communities.

Cameo Dental Specialists provides exceptional dental care with a focus on Endodontics (Root Canals), Periodontics (Dental Implants), and Oral Surgery to the Chicago communities.

River Forest
7603 West North Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305

708-456-7787
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at River Forest

Berwyn
3116 Oak Park Avenue
Berwyn, Illinois 60402

708-484-9011
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at Berwyn

La Grange
475 West 55th Street, Suite 208
La Grange, IL 60525

708-579-0488
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at La Grange

West Loop
910 W. Van Buren Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60607

312-201-4141
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The Cameo doctors who lead our experienced and highly trained staff provide exceptional care in a friendly and comfortable environment.
Call Cameo Dental Specialists today to schedule an appointment at one of our locations in Chicago, Berwyn, River Forest and La Grange, IL.

7603 West North Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
708-456-7787

3116 Oak Park Avenue
Berwyn, Illinois 60402
708-484-9011

475 West 55th Street, Suite 208
La Grange, Illinois 60525
708-579-0488

910 W. Van Buren Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60607
312-201-4141

Sinus Lifts and Dental ImplantsChicago Area

What is a Sinus Lift?

Bone Grafts

How is the Procedure Done?

Are You a Candidate?

Sinus Lifts and Dental Implants
Chicago Area