You’re all set to restore both your smile and oral health with dental implants when your dentist says, not so fast! They insist that a sinus lift is required before your implants. Chances are good you’ve never heard of this treatment, let alone its purpose. To learn more about sinus lifts and why they’re sometimes required, continue reading below!
What is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is a treatment that increases the amount of bone in the upper jaw to accommodate dental implants. Dental implants need plenty of jawbone to fuse with so that the implant will hold and be successful.
In such cases where a lift is required for dental implants, the upper jawbone is too thin or close to the sinuses, and a lift can prevent complications such as sinus infections or implant failure. The sinuses are lined with a thin membrane; this is what is lifted to create more room for the new bone or dental implant. Healthy bone tissue from another part of your body is grafted into this space to keep the lift in place.
Simply put, the dentist is lifting the floor to create enough room for the bone necessary for a dental implant.
Am I a Candidate for a Sinus Lift?
Not all people who need dental implants need a sinus lift. If you’ve lost upper back teeth, you are more likely to need a lift since the top jaw may not be thick enough to support the implants. Those with larger sinuses close enough to the tooth roots may also require a sinus lift. If the teeth have been missing for a long time, chances are likely that very little bone will be left behind.
How Does the Sinus Lift Work?
In this surgical procedure, bone is grafted to the upper jaw where the premolars and molars used to be. The sinus membrane is lifted upwards to make space for the additional bone.
First, sedation and or anesthesia will be administered to ensure your comfort. Then, a small incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the jawbone before a window is created in the bone, allowing access to the sinus membrane. The sinus membrane is gently lifted to create space for the bone graft before placing it into the created space. The gum tissue is then sutured back into place, and the bone graft material integrates with the existing bone, allowing for a stronger foundation for implants.
Sinus lift treatment usually lasts between 90 and 120 minutes. Expect your mouth to be sore at first, but this should wear off after 2 to 3 days.
The gum tissue will heal in a couple of weeks, but it can take the bone several months to integrate with the graft. Until that happens, your implants will have to wait.
The only sure way to know if you need a sinus lift is to visit your dentist. An examination should help them determine if you require a lift before your implants can be placed; this will ensure your new teeth stand the test of time!
About the Author
Dr. Evan Pedersen is a graduate of the prestigious Harvard School of Dental Medicine and has been in private practice for over a decade. Our team at Oris Dental Studio offers an amenity-rich experience for our patients, whether it’s TVs and headphones during procedures or the beverage bar patients can enjoy while waiting for their appointment. Have questions about dental implant placement? Visit our website or call our Austin office at 512-777-0866.