Sinus Augmentation in Northern VA

At Lorton, Springfield & Mt Vernon Dental Implant & Oral Surgery, we specialize in long-lasting dental implants using advanced oral and maxillofacial procedures. If your jawbone’s health has been compromised due to periodontal disease or injury, a sinus augmentation may be necessary. Through careful planning and individualized treatment, Dr. Snehal Patel, DDS, MD can add bone to your upper jaw. Sinus augmentation will increase the chances of success for your dental implant treatment so you can smile your healthiest, most beautiful smile.

Illustration of the process of maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedure.

The need for a sinus lift is usually discovered when preparing a patient for dental implants. Sinus augmentation is performed when the sinuses are too close to the jawbone, or there isn’t enough height in the upper jaw, making it difficult to place dental implants. Using modern diagnostic tools, our surgical specialist can pinpoint areas of bone loss and make a recommendation for sinus augmentation.

The first step in sinus augmentation is to have x-rays taken of your jaw and sinuses. You may also need a CT scan, which will allow Dr. Patel to measure your jaw bone and evaluate overall oral health. To prepare for the procedure, bone is taken from your hip or chin, or through a synthetic option.

Dr. Patel will make a small incision near the molar or premolar region to expose the jawbone. The membrane surrounding the sinus is lifted away, and the new bone material is added to the jaw before the sinus is gently repositioned. Several millimeters of new bone is usually added, and then the surrounding tissue is sutured. After your sinus lift surgery, your jaw is given ample time to heal while the new bone fuses with your jawbone.

After your sinus lift surgery, you may experience swelling or bleeding as your bones and tissues begin to heal. Pain medication will be administered to keep you comfortable, along with an antibiotic to prevent infection. Our surgical specialists will see you again in seven to ten days to check on the surgical site and remove your stitches. If you experience any pain, swelling, or bleeding after the first few days, we ask you to call and make an appointment with Dr. Patel.

Sinus Augmentation

Dr. Patel is both a dentist and a physician, completing both his dental and medical degrees at Columbia University. Dr. Patel was also part of one of the first teams involved in CT guided dental implant placement at Columbia University.

Dr. Jungwirth pursued his love of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery by completing an internship and residency at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, a program known across the country for its superb clinical training.

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Dedicated to life-long learning, Dr. Patel and Dr. Jungwirth average up to 20x the amount of continuing education credit hours required by the State of Virginia per licensing period.

Regular dental cleanings are an important part of maintaining a healthy smile. However, certain dental and facial conditions require more comprehensive care. Oral & maxillofacial surgery refers to a number of surgical dental procedures that treat a wide array of conditions that affect the head, neck, face, and jaw.

Lorton, Springfield & Mt Vernon Dental Implants & Oral Surgery are specialty dental offices in Northern Virginia that focus solely on providing oral and maxillofacial procedures. Our state-of-the-art offices are equipped to provide comprehensive dental surgery solutions for patients with diverse needs. From wisdom teeth extraction to dental implant placement, Lorton oral surgeon Dr. Snehal Patel is committed to helping patients gain healthy, fully functional smiles.

While most patients are familiar with common procedures as wisdom teeth extraction, few are fully aware of the number of treatments that are considered oral surgery. Routine procedures, such as impacted/dead tooth removal, dental implant placement, and bone grafting are fairly common oral surgeries patients may encounter throughout their lifetime.

In addition to these common procedures, experienced oral surgeons may be called on for the following procedures:

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Repair

Facial Infection

Facial Trauma Repair

TMJ Disorder/Sleep Apnea Treatment

Oral Cancer Biopsies

While some general dentists may offer treatments such as tooth extraction, it is recommended that patients visit an experienced oral surgeon for all upcoming dental surgeries. In addition to general dental school, specialized oral surgeons must complete a minimum four year hospital-based surgical residency program followed by annual recertification. As a result, oral surgeons are highly trained, highly qualified specialists with a unique understanding of the face and mouth.

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Snehal Patel, DDS

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Dr. Patel is both a dentist and a physician, completing both his dental and medical degrees at Columbia University. He finished his residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. During his training, he participated with Healing the Children in the countries of Colombia and Ecuador treating children with cleft lips and palates. Dr. Patel was also part of one of the first teams involved in CT guided dental implant placement at Columbia University. Dr. Patel was born and raised in Philadelphia and went to Boston University for college. Dr. Patel and his wife enjoy spending time together and enjoy traveling.

Education

Boston University
Columbia University (DDS & MD)
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center

Memberships

American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS)
American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)
Diplomate – American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS)

Michael Jungwirth, DMD

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Dr. Michael Jungwirth was born in Worcester, Massachusetts and grew up in Keene, New Hampshire. He graduated first in his class at the University of Tennessee with a degree in neuroscience and associate research. During his undergraduate studies Dr. Jungwirth pursued his passion for the advancement of medical science by performing molecular and cellular biology research and publishing two manuscripts. He was also awarded a Goldwater Scholarship, a C.W. Fite Fellowship for Outstanding Professional Promise, and the William Harris III Undergraduate Research Award.

From there he attended the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where he continued his passion for research and patient care. He received the Harvard Odontological Society Award for Excellence in Research, the Dr. Paul E. Boyle Award For Excellence in the Field of Oral Pathology, and several grants for his research on non-endothelial origin of midpalatal suture osteoblasts. Throughout his time at Harvard Dental School, Dr. Jungwirth made sure to give back to the community by serving as the treasurer for Operation Mouth Guard, an organization that provided mouth guards for underprivileged athletes. He also co-founded the Harvard School of Dental Medicine Introduction to Dentistry Course in order to inspire and guide the next generation of dental professionals.

Following his dental medicine training, Dr. Jungwirth pursued his love of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery by completing an internship and residency at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, a program known across the country for its superb clinical training. He was honored to serve patients of all racial, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds and make a difference in the community. He had the opportunity to serve as Chief Resident at University Hospital while training in Newark, New Jersey. He trained in full scope Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery including implants, dentoalveolar, pathology, cosmetics, trauma, and TMJ surgery.

Dr. Jungwirth is excited to serve Northern Virginia at Lorton, Springfield & Mt Vernon Dental Implant and Oral Surgery. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with his family and friends, hiking, skiing and travelling.

Education

University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine

While some oral surgeons only accept referrals from general dentists, Dr. Patel and his team welcome self-referred and referral patients. Regardless of the treatment you need, our oral surgeon will work closely with your general dentist to plan upcoming surgery and follow-up care. For more information about getting a referral or scheduling an appointment, contact us. We look forward to treating you!