Sinus lifts have become more common over the last few years because more people are getting dental implants, and this may be part of the process. If you need a sinus lift surgery, you will likely have several questions regarding this procedure. Worry not, we’ve created the following guide that will help you with all of the important information you would need to make an informed decision.
What is a sinus lift?
This surgery is performed to make dental implant placement easier and is necessary for patients who require dental implants but do not have enough bone support necessary for implants as a result of bone loss. A sinus lift will increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw by adding bone to the space between your molars and premolars and will lift the sinus membrane to make room for the bone.
Only a dental specialist, like an oral maxillofacial surgeon or a periodontist, can perform sinus lifts.
When is a sinus lift needed?
If dental implants are required but cannot be placed because there is not enough bone height in the patient’s upper jaw, a sinus lift may be recommended, and the same is true if your sinuses are too close to the jaw.
Bone loss can occur for a number of reasons, and common causes include periodontal gum disease, the loss of teeth in your upper jaw and the reabsorption of bone into the body after tooth loss.
What happens before a sinus lift?
The dental professional will first determine where they will get the extra bone. There are three common types of bone used in a sinus lift surgery including:
- autogenous bone, which is bone from your own body
- allogenic bone, which is bone from a cadaver
- xenograft, which is bone from a cow
If the dental professional is going to use bone from your own body, they will take it from other areas of your mouth or body.
X-rays will then be taken, and these images are important because they allow the surgeon to assess your jaw and sinuses to determine exactly what you need.
How is the surgery done?
The surgeon will begin by cutting the gum tissue and will raise it to expose your bone underneath. The surgeon will then cut a small circle in the bone and will lift the bony piece into the sinus cavity space to fill the hole with a bone graft. The surgeon will then close the incision, and the healing process will begin.
Your implants will be placed in about 4 to 12 months after your sinus lift surgery and this time will allow your new bone to merge correctly with your existing bone. The amount of time between your surgery and getting your implants placed will vary from one patient to another because it will depend on how much bone is needed.
What happens after a sinus lift?
Most patients will only experience minor discomfort after a sinus lift, and it’s normal to have some swelling. Some people may experience light bleeding from their nose or mouth in the days following surgery, and you must avoid blowing your nose after your procedure. Sneezing is hard to control, but you should stay away from anything that makes you sneeze, as this can cause the bone graft material to move and may loosen the stitches, which is why you must be careful.
A dental specialist may give you saline spray to keep your nose moist, and they may give you a prescription to prevent congestion and inflammation. Pain medicine, antibiotics and antimicrobial mouthwash may also be given to provide you with relief and prevent infections.
A dental specialist will request a follow-up appointment 7-10 days after your surgery and will examine the surgical site and remove any stitches that have not dissolved independently. Some patients may need to return a few more times for a checkup, and your dental professional will make sure you are healing properly.
Are there risks involved?
Sinus lift surgery, also called a sinus augmentation or sinus bone graft, is a procedure conducted to increase the amount of bone in the sinus cavity to make room for dental implants. While this surgery can help patients with deficient maxillary bone receive dental implants, there are a few risks patients should be aware of.
One potential risk is puncturing or tearing the sinus membrane lining the maxillary sinus. This thin, pliable membrane separates the sinus from the underlying bone and must be carefully lifted during the surgery. If accidentally torn, the surgeon will take steps to repair it. Small tears can often be simply stitched together, while larger defects may require a patch to be placed over the tear to allow proper healing. On rare occasions, if the repair proves too complex, the surgeon may need to pause the procedure and allow more time for the membrane to heal before attempting the bone graft again.
Infection is another possibility though uncommon. Strict sterility is maintained during surgery, but no procedure is completely risk-free of infection. In extremely rare cases, the grafted bone material may fail to properly integrate, or fuse, with the existing bone. This could prevent the development of an adequate blood supply to the grafted area. Should this occur, a second sinus lift surgery may be needed to try the procedure again. However, with an experienced oral surgeon and adherence to protocols to reduce risks, the chances of any complications are very low. For most patients, sinus lift surgery provides an effective solution to gaining enough bone for dental implants with minimal risks.
When do I need to contact a professional after a sinus lift?
In most cases, the healing process is pretty straightforward, although certain cases may require additional support. If the swelling and pain increase over time or if bleeding continues after one or two days or is bright red and continuous, you must contact your surgeon. The same is true if the bone graft material has dislodged after sneezing or blowing your nose or if you have a fever.
Choose the Best, Choose Maxillo 3 Lacs
Do you need to schedule a sinus lift? Maxillo 3 Lacs will provide you with more information, and we will take the time to answer any additional questions you may have. We want all of our patients to have a detailed understanding of what they can expect before, during and after their sinus lift procedure and will do everything we can to help you prepare for your surgery.
The more you know, the more confident you will feel, and our surgeons will support you to help with your recovery. We will help you get through this procedure and are always available to answer questions or address concerns regarding sinus lift surgery.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation!