If you’re considering dental implants, but don’t have enough jaw bone to secure the implants, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon for a sinus lift. A sinus lift is a type of bone grafting surgery. It is also known as a sinus graft or sinus augmentation is a procedure oral surgeons perform to create space for new jaw bone through bone grafting. Read on for an overview of a sinus lift performed by an oral surgeon.
Why Would I Need a Sinus Lift?
Patients in need of dental implants to replace missing teeth on the upper jaw must have sufficient jaw bone to secure the dental implant (screw) to the jaw. Individuals who do not have enough bone, either because the bone has receded due to missing teeth, periodontal disease, congenital defects, or cancer, will need bone grafting.
A sinus lift allows for bone grafting on the upper jaw. The sinuses are air-filled sacs that rest just above your upper jaw. A sinus lift will be recommended if your sinuses are extremely close to your upper jaw, and there isn’t enough room to place an implant without lifting the sinus. The
The bone graft used in sinus lift procedures may come from your own body (autogenous bone). It may come from a tissue bank (cadaver bone), or it may come from a cow (xenograft).
Sinus Lift Procedure: What to Expect
There are a variety of approaches to sinus lift surgery. Your oral surgeon will determine the best approach based on your imagining tests, which will show the existing jaw bone. The approach will also depend upon the type of bone graft being used. Factors such as the placement of implants in the future will also be considered.
When you arrive for your sinus lift procedure you will be sedated, so that you do not experience any pain during the procedure. Incisions will be made in the jaw to access the bone.
A piece of the jaw bone will be cut and pushed upward to lift the membrane of the sinus. Then the bone graft will be used to fill the space in the bone where the surgeon has cut. Then the incisions will be sutured.
In the days that follow a sinus lift, swelling and bleeding are common. You may experience discomfort for a few days. Your oral surgeon will provide you with complete post-surgical instructions. You may be prescribed an antibiotic to prevent infection. Your oral surgeon may recommend an antimicrobial mouthwash to keep your mouth healthy.
You will need to avoid using a straw, smoking, blowing your nose, and you’ll need to be extremely careful not to brush the area when cleaning your teeth. You’ll return for a follow-up appointment typically within a week. It will take a few months for the surgery site to fully heal, and be ready for a dental implant.
Schedule a Consultation for Sinus Lift in Manhattan or Hoboken
If you’re planning to get dental implants, as part of smile restoration, schedule a consultation with Mid-Manhattan Oral Surgery by calling 212-696-2677. For appointments in Hoboken call 201-659-6999.
