Sinus Lift in Northern VA
Sinus Lift
The maxillary sinuses are behind your cheeks and on top of the upper teeth. These sinuses are empty, air-filled spaces. Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed, there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. Dental implants need bone to hold them in place. When the sinus wall is very thin, it is impossible to place dental implants in this bone.
Sinus Lift Surgery – Moving sinus membrane. 3D illustration.
What is a sinus lift?
The key to a successful and long-lasting dental implant is the quality and quantity of jawbone to which the implant will be attached. If bone loss has occurred due to injury or periodontal disease, a sinus augmentation can raise the sinus floor and allow for new bone formation. A sinus lift is one of the most common bone grafting procedures for patients with bone loss in the upper jaw. The procedure seeks to grow bone in the floor of the maxillary sinus above the bony ridge of the gum line that anchors the teeth in the upper jaw. By strengthening and growing bone in this location, dental implants can be placed and secured in the new bone growth.
Am I a candidate for a sinus lift procedure?
A sinus lift may be necessary if you:
How is this oral surgery accomplished?
In the most common sinus augmentation procedure, a small incision is made on the premolar or molar region to expose the jawbone. A small opening is cut into the bone, and the membrane lining the sinus is pushed upward. The underlying space is filled with bone grafting material, either from your own body or from a cadaver. Sometimes, synthetic materials that can imitate bone formation are used. After the bone is implanted, the incision is stitched up and the healing process begins. After several months of healing, the bone becomes part of the patient’s jaw and dental implants can be inserted and stabilized in this new sinus bone.
If enough bone between the upper jaw ridge and the bottom of the sinus is available to stabilize the implant well, sinus augmentations and implant placement can sometimes be performed as a single procedure. If not enough bone is available, the sinus augmentation will have to be performed first, then the graft will have to mature for several months, depending upon the type of graft material used. Once the graft has matured, the implants can be placed.
The sinus graft makes it possible for many patients to have dental implants when years ago there was no other option besides wearing loose dentures.
A sinus augmentation is generally performed at Dr. Patel‘s office, under local anesthesia. However, some patients also may request oral or intravenous sedative medication as well.
Our oral surgeons have the experience and credentials you should look for when seeking oral surgery.
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.
Less than 1% of 704,000+ dentists worldwide are Board Certified Oral Surgeons who have earned ABOMS Diplomate credentials.
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.
Oral Surgeons serving the Northern Virginia area with locations in Lorton, Springfield & Mt Vernon, Virginia.
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.
What are Common Oral Surgery Procedures?
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:
Who can Perform Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeries?
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.
Snehal Patel, DDS
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
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
Facing Oral Surgery? Call our Oral Surgeons Today!
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!
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