A sinus lift, also known as a sinus augmentation or sinus graft, is a surgical procedure that our dentists perform to add bone to the upper jaw in the space between the jaw and the sinuses on either side of the nose. As the name implies, the sinus membrane is moved upward, or “lifted.” This procedure is performed when you don’t have enough bone in your upper jaw to support dental implants in the molar regions, typically because you have experienced bone loss due to gum disease or lost teeth.
How is a sinus lift performed?
A sinus lift is usually performed in the dentist’s office under local anesthesia. The procedure takes about 1-2 hours to complete.
During the procedure, our dentists will make an incision in the gum tissue and then access the sinus cavity. They will then use a bone graft material to add bone to the sinus cavity. The sinus membrane will be repositioned over the bone graft material. The incision will be closed with stitches.
The recovery time for a sinus lift is typically about 1-2 weeks. During this time, you may experience some discomfort. You will be given pain medication to help manage the pain. You will also need to avoid strenuous activity for a few days after the procedure.
Benefits of a sinus lift
A sinus lift can have many benefits, including:
If you are missing teeth in the upper jaw, you may be a candidate for a sinus lift. Talk to our dentists to see if you are a candidate for this procedure.
Sinus lifts are a safe and effective way to increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw so that dental implants can be placed. Our dentists can help you understand the procedure and decide if it is right for you.
What is the process for a sinus lift?
Before sinus lift surgery, our dentists will take x-rays and a CT scan to study your jaw and sinus cavity. Our surgeons will also need to decide where the bone used in the sinus graft will come from. Often it’s bone from your own body, but it may also come from a cadaver or cow.
As for the sinus graft procedure itself, our dentists will cut the gums to expose the bone underneath, then cut a small circle into the bone. The bone is then lifted into the sinus cavity and filled with bone graft before the incision is closed with sutures. Once the added bone has had time to mesh with your existing bone, dental implants can be placed, typically after at least four months of healing time. It is important to note that sinus lifts are some of the most delicate procedures to perform in implant dentistry.
A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that can increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw, making it possible to place dental implants. To determine if you are a good candidate for a sinus lift, your dentist will perform a thorough examination of your mouth, including x-rays and a CT scan. They will also ask you about your medical history and overall health.
Here are some factors that your dentist will consider when determining if you are a good candidate for a sinus lift:
If you are a good candidate for a sinus lift, your dentist will discuss the procedure with you in detail and answer any questions you may have. They will also explain the risks and benefits of the procedure.
A sinus graft is a surgical procedure that can increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw, making it possible to place dental implants. Proper diagnosis and pre-procedure planning are essential to a successful sinus graft.
Our dentists will take a detailed history, conduct an examination, and take x-rays and a CT scan. They may also use cone beam or CBCT imaging, which is a type of 3-D imaging that allows our dentists to study the anatomy of your jaw and sinuses in great detail.
The 3-D images allow our dentists to produce the best possible plan for your treatment. This includes determining the amount of bone that needs to be added, the type of bone graft material that will be used, and the best location for the implant placement.
Preoperative advice and tips
Prior to a sinus lift procedure, our dentists may prescribe specific medications or ask you to stop taking certain medications. They will also give you specific instructions about what to do and not do before the procedure.
It is important that you follow all of our dentists’ preoperative instructions precisely. Each directive is specifically designed to increase the chances of a successful procedure.
Here are some additional tips that may help you prepare for your sinus lift procedure:
During a sinus lift, our dentists will use a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. This will help to minimize pain and discomfort during the procedure. In some cases, our dentists may also recommend nitrous oxide sedation or intravenous sedation. These forms of sedation can help to relax the patient and make the procedure more comfortable.
The type of sedation that is best for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. For example, if you are anxious about dental procedures, you may want to consider nitrous oxide sedation. If you have a medical condition that makes it difficult to tolerate pain, you may want to consider intravenous sedation.
Here are some of the benefits of sedation during a sinus lift:
Here are some of the risks of sedation during a sinus lift:
It is important to discuss sedation options with our dentists during the consultation phase. They will be able to help you choose the type of sedation that is right for you and answer any questions you may have.
A sinus lift or sinus graft is typically a same-day procedure, but proper diagnosis and pre-procedure planning are essential to the success of this procedure.
Our dentists will take a detailed history, conduct an examination, and take x-rays and a CT scan as part of this process. This will help them to determine if you are a good candidate for a sinus lift and to plan the procedure accordingly.
The sinus lift procedure itself typically takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours. During the procedure, our dentists will make a small incision in the gum tissue and access the sinus cavity. They will then use a bone graft material to add bone to the sinus cavity.
Once the bone graft material has been added, our dentists will close the incision with stitches. You will be able to go home the same day after the procedure.
Here are some of the benefits of a same-day sinus lift:
Proper Upkeep and Issues with Recovery
If you get a sinus lift or sinus graft, it is important to follow our dentists‘ pre- and post-operative instructions precisely to maximize the chance of a successful procedure.
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks involved. The main risk is that the sinus membrane could be punctured or perforated. If this occurs, our dentists will either stitch the tear or place a patch over the tear. If repair is unsuccessful, our dentists may need to wait until the puncture or tear has time to heal before resuming with sinus grafting procedures.
In rare instances, the grafted bone does not integrate with the existing bone, which may require the procedure to be repeated. Infection is also a risk, but infections from sinus grafts are rare and easily controlled with antibiotics.
To learn more about sinus lifts and sinus grafts, please contact Bellagio Dental today.
The sinus lift process is a surgical procedure that can help to increase the amount of bone in your upper jaw. This is often done in preparation for dental implants, which require a certain amount of bone to support them.
The sinus lift process begins with a dental exam and evaluation at our dentists‘ office. This includes the use of state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging tools to assess the condition of your sinuses and jawbone.
If our dentists determine that you are a good candidate for a sinus lift, they will discuss the procedure with you in detail. They will also go over the risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as the expected recovery time.
The surgery itself typically takes two hours or less and is performed under local anesthesia. During the procedure, our dentists will create a small opening in your sinus membrane and then insert bone graft material into the empty space. The bone graft material will help to stimulate the growth of new bone, which will eventually fill in the empty space.
After the surgery, you may experience some mild discomfort, including swelling and light bleeding. Our dentists will prescribe pain medication to help you manage any discomfort. You will also need to follow a strict post-operative care regimen to ensure a smooth recovery.
Typically, it takes between four and six months for the new bone to fully integrate with the existing bone. At this point, dental implants can be placed.
The sinus lift process is a safe and effective way to increase the amount of bone in your upper jaw. If you are considering dental implants, our dentists can help you determine if a sinus lift is right for you.
In addition to these medications, our dentists will also advise you to:
Proper post-procedure care is essential to successful healing after a sinus lift. You will likely experience some minor pain, swelling, and discomfort following the procedure. Our dentists will likely have you gently bite down on a gauze pad, which can be changed periodically in the hours after your surgery. The goal is for a blood clot to form—and remain—to stop the bleeding.
Our dentists may also give you one or more of the following:
You should contact our dentists immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms in the wake of the procedure:
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