Sinus lift is a type of oral and
maxillofacial surgery that aims to create an adequate bone height of your upper
jaw for dental implants to be placed effectively.
Who
Needs a Sinus Lift?
Sinus lift, otherwise known as sinus augmentation,
is indicated in cases when the upper jaw is deficient in bone, and when the
sinuses are too close to the jaw. This renders dental implants unstable and
ineffective.
After a thorough history and clinical
examination of your oral cavity, our dentists will decide whether you need a
sinus lift surgery for an implant procedure. We can consider a sinus lift when:
- You have missing molars or
premolars and have less bone in that area
- When your bone strength and the quantity has been compromised because of a gum infection
- When the maxillary sinus is large
and close to the upper jaw
How
is Sinus Lift Surgery Done?
Before the surgery is performed, our
dentists will take X-rays to map out the anatomy and structure of your mouth.
Sometimes, you may also need a CT scan for a more detailed evaluation of your
sinus.
For sinus lift, a section of bone from
another part of your body is usually taken and grafted into the upper jaw. This
bone can be taken from other areas of the mouth, from the tibia or from the hip
bone.
The surgery is performed under general
anaesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain. The surgeon will first make an incision
(cut) in the gum around your molars. The gum will be raised on both sides to
expose the underlying bone.
A small opening is then created in the
bone up to the membrane that lines the maxillary sinus. This membrane is pushed
upward (sinus lift), and new bone is grafted into the space created. The wound
is closed with stitches and allowed to heal.
Care
After Sinus Lift Surgery
You might feel some discomfort and
swelling around the surgical wound after the procedure. Simple analgesics, a
soft diet and clear fluids can help in the recovery process.
A follow-up appointment is required after
a week to remove the stitches and to note the progress.
Dental implants can only be placed after
the bone grafted in the upper jaw has gained its full strength. This can take
4-6 months after the sinus lift surgery.