Elderly Woman Considering a Sinus Lift

Sinus Lift

We offer sinus lift procedures to enhance your ability to receive dental implants in the upper jaw. A sinus lift is a specialized surgical technique used to increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw by lifting the sinus membrane and placing a graft in the space created. This procedure is often recommended when bone height or density in the upper jaw is insufficient due to bone loss or anatomical variations.

How Maxillary Sinuses Affect Upper Jaw Dental Implants

The maxillary sinuses are empty, air-filled spaces behind your cheeks and on top of the upper teeth. Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed, there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. Dental implants need bone to hold them in place, and when the sinus wall is very thin, placing implants in this area becomes impossible.

Restoring Bone Density with a Sinus Lift

The key to a successful and long-lasting dental implant is the quality and quantity of jawbone to which the implant will be attached. If bone loss has occurred due to injury or periodontal disease, a sinus augmentation can raise the sinus floor and allow for new bone formation.

A sinus lift is one of the most common bone grafting procedures for patients with bone loss in the upper jaw. The procedure seeks to grow bone in the maxillary sinus floor above the bony ridge of the gum line that anchors the teeth in the upper jaw. This enables dental implants to be placed and secured in the new bone growth.

Am I a Candidate for a Sinus Lift Procedure?

A sinus lift may be necessary if you:

  • Are missing more than one tooth in the back of your jaw
  • Are missing a significant amount of bone in the back of your jaw
  • Are missing teeth due to a congenial disability or condition
  • Are missing most of the maxillary teeth and require support for dental implants
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How is this Procedure Accomplished?

A sinus augmentation is generally performed under local anesthesia at Dr. Butura’s office. Some patients may also request oral or intravenous sedative medication. Here are the steps of the procedure:

  • A small incision is made on the premolar or molar region to expose the jawbone.
  • A small opening is cut into the bone.
  • The membrane lining the sinus is pushed upward.
  • The underlying space is filled with bone grafting material from your body, other sources, or synthetic materials that imitate bone formation.
  • The incision is sutured, and the healing process begins.
  • After several months of healing, the bone integrates with the jaw, allowing for the insertion and stabilization of dental implants.

Timing and Procedure Options

If enough bone between the upper jaw ridge and the bottom of the sinus is available to sufficiently stabilize the implant, sinus augmentations and implant placement can sometimes be performed as a single procedure.

If there is not enough bone available, sinus augmentation will have to be performed first. Then, depending on the type of graft material used, the graft will have to mature for up to several months. Once the graft has matured, the implants can be placed.

The sinus graft makes it possible for many patients to have dental implants that previously had no other option besides wearing loose dentures.

Learn How a Sinus Lift Can Help You Achieve Your Dream Smile

A successful sinus lift can make all the difference in achieving a stable and durable foundation for your dental implants, restoring both function and aesthetics. If you’re considering dental implants and need to ensure there’s enough bone to support them, reach out to us today.

American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons