When a patient in San Francisco realizes they need dental implants a lot of questions may arise. Implant dentistry is complex in some regards, but our doctors are open to answering any questions before, during, and after the procedure. One of the questions that we seem to encounter on a regular basis is whether other parts of the body should be causes of concern during a dental implant procedure. This is a simple question with a complex answer, so let’s take a few moments and go into more depth.
There are two primary areas of concern for this particular procedure: the mandibular nerve and the maxillary sinus. We will take a moment and go into both of these areas in more detail.
What is the Mandibular Nerve?
The mandibular nerve is a very important nerve that runs throughout the lower jaw and allows a patient to control their movement. While injury can occur in this area during the procedure, this rarely ever happens, and thus the risk is very small to the patient.
The reason this is the case is that trained medical professionals, such as our doctors, know how important a dental CT scan is and then how to chart the course of the nerve before any implant dentistry takes place. This allows our doctors to be aware of any potential issues and fully plan out the procedure in such a fashion that the nerve will not be harmed in any way.
What is the Maxillary Sinus?
The maxillary sinus is the second area that could be an issue for patients in San Francisco with regards to implant dentistry, and it is here that things begin to become a bit more complex. The maxillary sinus is a large cavity that sits above the upper portion of the mouth. It occupies a large portion of the face, as it takes up space around the eyes, cheekbones, and on both sides of the nose. When a person has a cold or sinus infection, this area fills with mucus and must be relieved.
The reason why this is area is important is because a certain amount of jawbone is required to be in place in order to support the implant. Once it is determined that implant dentistry is the appropriate choice, an evaluation must be undertaken to be sure the maxillary sinus is structurally sound for the procedure. In the event there is not enough bone to support the implant, a procedure called a sinus lift would be performed. This is simply a bone graft that allows more bone to grow in this area, and once the bone has grown successfully, the area will be deemed suitable for surgery.
If you are in need of high-quality implant dentistry and are based in San Francisco, then look no further than our doctors at SF Oral Surgery. Our wonderful team of medical professionals always prioritizes the patient’s comfort and well-being above all else.
If you have any questions about implant dentistry in San Francisco contact us at (415) 776-6710 and we will be happy to sit down with you and answer your questions.
