3D jaw scan shows there is not enough bone

[Mika]

Hello

I had a 3D jaw scan done on my upper jaw last week and according to my dentist, it shows that there is not enough bone there for implants. Apparently my sinus is very close to my mouth and I would need to have a sinus lift before I can have dental implants.

I would like to know firstly if a 3D jaw scan is accurate? Is there a chance that it may have got it wrong and I might not need a sinus lift? If I do need a sinus lift as the scan suggests, how is a sinus lift done? Would I need to have a General anaesthetic for a sinus lift.

How long does it take before the sinus lift works and I could get my dental implants? Once the implants are placed, how soon after that, will I be able to actually use them?

[Dr Vahid Motahar]

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

CT scans or as you call it 3D jaw scan showing there is not enough bone for implant placement and need for sinus lift is pretty much accurate. They may be differences between the quality of the scans but this difference is not that much to show that you do not need sinus lift if the first scan shows you do need it. So in short yes they are accurate and you will need sinus lift for your implants.

The procedure for sinus lift involved accessing the sinus and lifting the sinus lining and then placement of bone grafting material and closure and suturing it. We have done this many times at Pearl Dental Clinic and we have many photos in our galleries that very clearly shows the steps involved (http://www.pearldentalclinic.co.uk/sinus-lift.html).

Once sinus lift is completed one must wait for 6 months before implants can be placed. Once the implants are placed again you have 8-10 weeks oseointegration period and after this your implants are loaded and hence the crowns are placed on top of you implants.