A sinus lift, or sinus augmentation, is a surgical procedure that improves the placement of an implanted tooth. Some people need dental implants but do not have enough bone support for an implant due to bone loss. A sinus lift can help because it increases the bone in your upper jaw by adding bone to the space between your molars and premolars. To make room for the bone, the sinus membrane will be raised or “raised”, which gives the surgery its name. A sinus lift is usually performed by a dental specialist such as a maxillofacial surgeon or periodontist.
When Do You Need a Sinus Lift?
If your dentist cannot place dental implants because you do not have enough bone density in your upper jaw or your sinuses are too close to your jaw, your dentist may recommend a sinus lift. Wondering why you might have bone loss? Good question. Some factors that cause osteoporosis include:
- Periodontal gum disease
- Losing teeth in your upper jaw
- Reabsorption of bone into the body after tooth loss
What Happens Before a Sinus Lift Surgery?
If you have a sinus lift, your dentist will first decide where to get the bone. The three types of bone grafts commonly used in sinus surgery are:
- Autogenous bone: bone from your own body
- Allogenic bone: bone from a cadaver
- Xenograft: bone from a cow
If a bone comes out of your body, it will come out of your mouth or another part of your body.
Then you need an x-ray. X-rays are given to the surgeon or dentist to study your jawbone and sinuses to determine exactly what you need.
How Is a Sinus Lift Surgery Done?
We will now go over what to expect from surgery so that you are well prepared and confident during your sinus lift surgery. Here are the general steps taken during sinus surgery:
- The surgeon cuts the gum tissue.
- The tissue is raised, exposing the bone underneath.
- The surgeon cuts a small circle in the bone.
- The surgeon lifts the bony piece into the sinus cavity space and fills the hole with a bone graft.
- The surgeon closes the incision.
- The healing process begins.
About 4 to 12 months after your sinus lift operation, your dentist will place your implants. This temporary period gives the new bone time to integrate properly with your existing bone. The time between your surgery and the placement of your implant depends on the bone you want. Your dentist will let you know when they can place your implants.
Contact Boulder County Smiles:
303-665-5335
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026
