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Sinus Lift Surgery; What to Expect?
When considering implants, you need healthy gums and sufficient volume of bone to support your new implant. Thin or soft bone will not be able to support the implant, and you may require a bone graft. Another solution, if there is not enough bone height in the upper jaw or the sinuses are too close to the jaw, is getting a sinus lift surgery.
If your dentist tells you that you need a sinus lift before getting implants, there is no need to worry. Sinus lift surgery is a relatively common procedure that will make it possible for you to have implants even after suffering bone loss.
What exactly is sinus lift for dental implants?
A sinus lift is surgery adds bone to your upper jaw in the area above your molars and premolars. It’s sometimes called a “maxillary sinus floor augmentation”, “sinus augmentation” or “sinus graft”. The bone is added between your jaw and the maxillary sinuses, which are on either side of your nose. To make room for the bone, the sinus membrane has to be moved upward, or “lifted.”
Why do I need a sinus lift?
Sinus lift is usually required when there is not enough bone in their upper jaw to support a dental implant. Dental implants fuse with the jaw bone in a natural process called osseointegration. Osseointegration will not happen properly if there in not enough of bone present.
Prior to getting implants, you may need a lift if:
- You previously had trauma or damage in your jaw bone;
- You had a cyst or tumor in that area;
- You suffered periodontitis and bone loss;
- You have missing tooth/teeth and the bone has receded ( 40-60% of the bone structure is lost in the tooth socket within the first three years);
- You have a large sinus cavity;
- You have a thin jaw bone.
We would like to emphasize again, that not everyone who gets molar or premolar teeth implants will need sinus augmentation. Nonetheless, it’s a fairly common procedure.
How is sinus lift done?
To begin, your dental surgeon will consult you on your needs and assess if you are a candidate for a sinus lift. As part of this, we will do X-rays and a special type of computer tomography (CT) to allow the dentist to accurately evaluate the condition of your sinus.
At Archer Dental, we use synthetic materials that are safe for use in humans as an alternative to using our own source of bone.
It’s important to note that this procedure should not be done while you have active allergies.
The dentist will cut the gum tissue and raise it to, exposing the bone. An oval window is opened in the bone. The membrane lining the sinus on the other side of the window separates your sinus from your jaw. This membrane is gently pushed up and away from your jaw.
Granules of bone-graft material are then packed into the space where the sinus was. The amount of bone used will vary, but usually several millimeters of bone is added above the jaw.
Once the bone is in place, the tissue is closed with stitches.
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Advantages of sinus lift surgery: foundation of successful dental implant procedure
Sinus lift surgery, also known as sinus augmentation, is a remarkable dental procedure that offers numerous benefits for individuals seeking to restore their smile’s health and appearance. This surgical technique focuses on enhancing the bone structure in the upper jaw, particularly in the molar and premolar areas, where the sinus cavity often encroaches on available bone. Below, we outline the advantages of sinus lift surgery, highlighting how it can transform your dental well-being.
- Improved implant success rates: sinus lift surgery significantly improves the success rates of dental implants in the upper jaw. By creating additional bone volume, this procedure provides a secure foundation for implant placement, reducing the risk of implant failure.
- Enhanced aesthetic outcomes: with more bone available for implant placement, sinus lift surgery contributes to better aesthetic results. Dental implants are positioned optimally, ensuring a natural-looking and harmonious smile
- Preservation of facial structure: as bone density deteriorates over time, facial structure can change, leading to a sunken appearance. Sinus lift surgery helps preserve bone integrity, maintaining your facial contours and preventing premature aging.
- Restored chewing functionality: insufficient bone in the upper jaw can compromise chewing ability. Sinus lift surgery restores the necessary bone volume, allowing you to enjoy a diverse diet without discomfort.
- Increased confidence: dental issues, such as missing teeth, can undermine self-confidence. Sinus lift surgery, by facilitating secure implant placement, helps restore a confident smile, enhancing your overall self-esteem.
- Customized treatment: sinus lift surgery is tailored to your individual needs. Your dentist will assess your bone structure and sinus condition to determine the appropriate technique, ensuring a personalized treatment plan.
- Enhanced speech: missing teeth can affect speech clarity. Sinus lift surgery and subsequent implant placement can help improve speech patterns.
- Minimized discomfort: advanced techniques and technology used in sinus lift surgery contribute to a minimally invasive procedure with reduced discomfort during and after the surgery.
- Faster healing: modern sinus lift surgery methods promote quicker healing times, allowing you to resume your normal activities sooner.
- Long-term solution: sinus lift surgery provides a lasting solution. Once the bone is augmented, the enhanced structure serves as a durable foundation for implants, ensuring their stability for years to come.
- Comprehensive dental restoration: whether you need a single tooth replacement or multiple implants, sinus lift surgery accommodates various implant-supported restoration options.
- Prevention of sinus complications: by creating a safe distance between the implants and the sinus cavity, sinus lift surgery helps prevent sinus-related complications.
- Avoidance of complex procedures: without sufficient bone, more complex procedures might be required. Sinus lift surgery can eliminate the need for these intricate treatments.
- Suitable for many patients: sinus lift surgery is a versatile option suitable for a wide range of patients, including those with significant bone loss.
- Successful implantation in challenging cases: in cases where there's limited bone height, sinus lift surgery enables successful implantation, expanding treatment possibilities.
- One-time procedure: sinus lift surgery is typically a one-time procedure, simplifying the treatment process.
After the sinus lift
Immediately after your surgery you may experience discomfort and swelling in the area. Some bleeding from your mouth or nose is expected. You shouldn’t blow your nose or sneeze forcefully while you are recovering from the surgery. If any bleeding continues for more than two days, or pain and swelling get worse, you should contact your dentist immediately.
Your dentist will give you medication to protect against infection in the sinuses. Once again, if you tend to have allergies, your surgery will probably be scheduled for a time of year when allergies are less common.
After the surgery, you need to wait a couple of months for the bony material to harden and integrate with your jaw. Depending on how fast you heal, implants may be placed in four to nine months.
Some text in this article first appeared on Dentaly.org
Your implants will be placed 4 to 9 months later. This allows time for the grafted material to mesh with your bone. The amount of time depends on the amount of bone needed.
Contact Us
Please know that you can always contact our dental team by calling 773-581-1345, making an appointment through the contact form, or stopping by the Archer Dental Chicago office at 5200 S Archer Ave, Ste #3, Chicago, IL 60632.