A sinus lift – also referred to as “sinus augmentation” – is a special type of surgery that makes it exceptionally easy for dental implants to be placed within the mouth if you lack the proper amount of bone to support those implants due to bone loss.
This procedure increases your bone level by placing additional bone in the areas between the premolars and the molars.
To provide ample spacing for this extra bone, the sinus membrane must be situated more upwards, or “lifted”. In most instances, either a periodontist or an oral maxillofacial surgeon performs the sinus lift. Continue reading to learn more about this procedure.
When Is Sinus Augmentation Required?
If you have been informed that you require dental implants but that there is not enough bone situated within the jaw or that the sinuses of your body are too close to the jaw, this type of surgery may be required.
If you have suffered bone loss from gum disease, the loss of teeth, or the body reabsorbing the bone into the body after a tooth has been loss, you are likely a good candidate for a sinus lift.
Pre-Surgery
If a dental professional determines that you need a sinus lift, they have three main options to choose from. First, they may take the bone from another area in your body. This is called “Autogenous Bone”.
If they take the bone from a cadaver, this is referred to as “Allogenic Bone”. They may also obtain a bone from a cow. This is referred to as “Xenograft Bone”. Once it is determined where the bone will come from, arrangements will be made to obtain that bone.
You will then have to have X-rays performed so that the specialist is able to carefully evaluate your sinuses and your jaw and come up with a surgical plan.
The Steps of the Surgical Procedure
During a sinus lift procedure, the following steps are performed:
- First, the gum tissue of the area will be cut.
- The tissue is then raised up and the underlying bone is revealed.
- A small circle is then made inside of the bone.
- The little bony piece is lifted up into the sinus cavity and the hole is then filled with a bone graft.
- The incision is then closed – usually with dissolvable stitches and the healing process initiates.
Healing is permitted to occur over a 3–12-month time frame. Immediately following this time period, the dental professional will then put in your dental implants. This time is required because it is when the new bone is merging with your old bone.
The more bone that you need, the longer this process will take. During the healing process, you may experience mild to moderate swelling and/or discomfort. Light bleeding from the mouth and/or the nose may also occur immediately after the surgery, but this is not typically troublesome.
If you would like to learn more about the sinus augmentation surgery or dental implants -in general -you may contact us by calling: 316-330-4050