Sinus lifts are a safe and effective method for replacing lost or deficient bone. Sinus lifts are most commonly performed for patients who have a missing tooth and want to have a dental implant, but do not have enough jawbone to support one properly. Your sinuses are located on either side of your nose in an area of the jawbone that is thinner than other areas. As such, any bone loss that occurs following the loss of a tooth (which begins the moment a tooth is lost) makes placement of an implant increasingly less likely. By performing the sinus lift procedure, this lost bone will be replaced, and the area will have the density it needs to support your implant.
A sinus lift may also be performed for the following reasons:
- Bone loss due to periodontal disease
- Maxillary sinus too close to jaw
- Physical trauma to the jaw or face
- Bone reabsorbed into body due to loss of teeth
- Bone deficiency associated with a difficult tooth extraction or removal of a cyst or tumor
To determine if you need a sinus lift, a CT scan and X-rays will be taken to identify the structure of your blood vessels and nerves and identify whether the bone is deficient or adequate to support an implant. This information is then used to identify where the graft should be placed, which will ensure your procedure is smooth, successful, and over as quickly as possible. A local anesthetic will be administered to reduce sensation and dental sedation may be provided as well. Once you are comfortable, a small incision is made in your gums in order to expose the underlying jawbone. Next, a tiny hole is cut in your jawbone to access the membrane that rests between your jawbone and sinus cavities. This membrane is lifted in order to create space into which the grafting material is placed. Following this, your gums are stitched up and the sinus lift procedure will be complete.
Recovery Following Sinus Lift
Closely following post-operative instructions following your sinus lift is critical to avoid complications and speed up the healing process. Everyone will have a slightly different experience during the healing process, so the most important thing is to practice common sense and listen to your body, but in general, following these guidelines following your sinus lift procedure will help avoid complications. One of the most important aftercare instructions is that you must not blow your nose following the procedure for at least four weeks. It is also important to avoid sneezing if possible. If a sneeze cannot be helped, open your mouth while doing so. On average, it will take three to five months for the grafting process to regenerate enough bone. Once this process is complete, a follow up appointment can be scheduled to place the dental implant. In some cases, it may be possible to perform the sinus lift and dental implant procedure in one visit, but oftentimes the process will have to take place over multiple visits.