What Is a Sinus Lift Procedure?
The maxillary sinuses are located behind your cheeks and above the upper teeth, consisting of empty, air-filled spaces. Some roots of the upper teeth extend into the maxillary sinuses. When these teeth are extracted, only a thin layer of bone often separates the sinus from the mouth. Dental implants require sufficient bone to secure them properly; when the sinus wall is too thin, placing implants becomes impossible.
The success and longevity of a dental implant depend on the quality and quantity of the jawbone to which it is attached. If bone loss has occurred due to injury or periodontal disease, a sinus augmentation can raise the sinus floor and promote new bone formation. A sinus lift is one of the most common bone grafting procedures for patients with upper jaw bone loss. This procedure aims to develop bone in the floor of the maxillary sinus above the bony ridge that anchors the upper teeth, allowing for the placement and securement of dental implants in the newly formed bone.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for a Sinus Lift?
You may need a sinus lift if you:
- Have multiple missing teeth in the back of your jaw
- Experience significant bone loss in the back of your jaw
- Have missing teeth due to a birth defect or medical condition
- Lack most of the maxillary teeth and need support for dental implants
How Is the Sinus Lift Procedure Performed?
Typically, a small incision is made in the premolar or molar area to access the jawbone. A small opening is created in the bone, allowing the sinus membrane to be pushed upward. The resulting space is then filled with bone grafting material, which may come from your own body, other sources, or synthetic materials designed to mimic bone formation. After the bone is placed, the incision is sutured, initiating the healing process. Over the course of several months, the graft integrates with the patient’s jaw, enabling the insertion and stabilization of dental implants in the newly formed sinus bone.
In cases where there is sufficient bone between the upper jaw ridge and the bottom of the sinus, sinus augmentation and implant placement can sometimes be done in a single procedure. If there isn’t enough bone, sinus augmentation must be performed first, allowing the graft to mature for several months, depending on the type of material used. Once the graft has matured, dental implants can then be placed.
This sinus graft procedure opens up opportunities for many patients to receive dental implants, who previously had no option other than wearing loose dentures.
The sinus augmentation is performed in our office under intravenous sedation. Contact us today for more information!