Sinus lifting, also known as a sinus augmentation, is a special dental procedure to increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw, specifically where the premolar and molar teeth are located. This technique is important for those patients who need dental implants but have insufficient bone height in the upper jaw, especially around the site of the sinuses. The procedure provides a stable base upon which implants can be placed with a high degree of long-term success.
What is a Sinus Lift?
What is a sinus lift operation? A sinus lift is a surgical intervention that lifts the membrane of the sinus, adding more bone graft material to the bottom of the sinus cavity. It increases the height of the available bone in the upper jaw and creates enough room to provide adequate support for dental implants. The procedure is generally advised in conditions where there is inadequate height due to natural bone loss caused by periodontal disease or tooth loss, or simply due to aging.
When is a Sinus Lift needed?
Sinus lift is performed when a patient needs dental implants in the upper jaw and the amount of bone present is not adequate to host the implant. The deficiency in the quantum of bone can be due to a number of reasons including:
- Tooth Loss: Bone in an area where a tooth is missing starts to resorb or shrink over time. The longer the tooth has been missing, the greater the bone loss.
- Periodontal Disease: Disease of the gums can cause significant bone loss and make implant placement difficult without additional bone grafting.
- Anatomical Factors: In some individuals, the anatomical positioning of the sinus floor is too low or the bone of the upper jaw is too thin to allow implant placement without a sinus lift.
The Sinus Lift Procedure
The sinus lift surgery is initiated when the dentist or oral surgeon cuts the gum tissue to expose the bone. Proceedingly, the bone is opened with a small window, while the sinus membrane is meticulously moved upward. Active bone graft material, which includes autogenous bone or taken from the patient’s own body; allograft, or donor bone; or synthetic substitute, is then placed into the newly opened space. This allows for the graft material to stimulate new bone growth, which over time will merge and meld with the older bone, forming a more solid structural framework of thickened bone.
Types of Sinus Lift Techniques
There is a variety of techniques for performing a sinus lift, depending on the amount of bone required and the anatomy:
- Traditional Sinus Lift: A window is opened in the sinus wall laterally, and the membrane is uplifted with care upwards. The graft material for the bone is placed within the cavity and, after placement, the window is stitch-wise closed.
- Crestal Approach Sinus Lift: Minimally invasive crestal approach sinus lift involves less invasive access to the bone from the site of future implant placement and preparation, with a special tool that is used to lift the sinus membrane. This is indicated in cases when patients need only minimal bone augmentation.
- Balloon Sinus Lift: A balloon is used to elevate the membrane lining in the sinus, followed by additional bone graft material. Because of the minimal trauma associated with this method, it is a common method for patients with minor or insignificant bone loss.
Post-Procedure Care and Healing
Immediately after the sinus lift operation, there will be some swelling and bleeding and some discomforting pain that is manageable by pain medications coupled with good aftercare. Avoid blowing the nose and heavy sneezing because this may cause the grafting material to be displaced. Full recovery can take several months, a period within which the bone graft will integrate with your own natural bone.
In many cases, dental implants can be placed simultaneously with the sinus lift procedure, depending on the amount of available bone and the patient’s specific needs. The success rate for implants placed subsequent to a nasal lift is similar to those placed in a patient with sufficient natural bone. This will restore the chewing and speaking ability along with the improvement in the quality of life and overall dental health of the patient.
A sinus lift is a necessary surgery for patients who require dental implants in the upper jaw, where the bone density is not sufficient. The sinus lift will educate a patient on what the procedure is and when it is performed, which aids in making the right decisions concerning dental health. XXX commits to the performance of comprehensive care so that every patient may receive the best possible result from his or her sinus-lift surgery.
