A key to implant success is the quantity and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed. In the situation where teeth in upper posterior jaw are missing, there may not be adequate bone to support dental implants due to the presence of an enlarged sinus cavity. After teeth have been missing for a period of time in the upper back jaws, the sinus space above the roots of the teeth can expand and cause the bones of the jaws to shrink.
This can result in insufficient amount and quality of bone to adequately support dental implants. In cases such as these, a sinus augmentation is required and will help correct this problem by raising the sinus floor and developing bone for the ideal placement of dental implants. This is often an additional step required before implants are placed, however, in most cases; implants can be placed at the same time as the sinus augmentation procedure. Your periodontist will help determine the location of the sinus and discuss your treatment options.
