When you want dental implants but don't have enough jaw bone to secure them, your dentist may recommend sinus lift surgery.

Other names for this procedure include sinus augmentation and sinus graft. This procedure may be performed by a variety of medical specialists, including periodontists and oral surgeons.

A dental specialist can use a variety of techniques to perform sinus lift surgery. Continue reading to learn more about these approaches and how they can help secure your dental implants.

Purpose of sinus lift 

The augmentation or lifting of the maxillary sinus to make more room for new bone is referred to as a sinus lift.

The maxillary sinuses are air-filled cavities located just above the back of the maxilla, or upper jaw. There is more bone for a dentist to place a dental implant by lifting the sinus and grafting bone in between.

If you don't have enough upper jaw bone, the implant won't be able to properly anchor, and your new dental implant won't be able to perform more demanding tasks like chewing.

Without sufficient bone, the dental implant will not be properly secured and may fail. Some of the causes of bone loss in the jaw include birth defects, cancer, natural variation, and periodontal disease.

In addition, bone in the jaw can be a use-it-or-lose-it situation. If you have had tooth loss, your jawbone may begin to thin over time.

Preparation 

Getting a dental implant or implants can be a multistep process, with a sinus lift and bone grafting being the first step before the dental implant is placed.

During your initial consultation, you and your doctor will discuss your dental implant objectives. Your teeth, mouth, and gums will be examined by your doctor. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or a computed tomography scan, will be performed to determine the health of your jawbone and other key structures in your skull. If necessary, you will have sinus lift surgery to help secure the implant. The dental implant holder, known as an abutment, will be installed by your doctor. Then the dental implant will be placed.

The length of each step of this process is frequently determined by your overall oral health. Because dental implant placement can be an expensive procedure, it is critical to take the necessary time to ensure the best results.

Procedure 

There are several approaches to sinus lift surgery. The best approach for you may be determined by how much bone you currently have in your jaw, the type of bone graft used by the doctor, and the potential approach for future dental implant placement.

To keep you comfortable during the procedure, you may be given oral or intravenous sedatives, or the dentist may numb the area with a local anesthetic. Your surgeon will locate and make incisions into the back of your gum tissue to expose the bone. Your surgeon will cut a small area of bone while avoiding the sinus membranes.

Your surgeon will raise the membrane by lifting the cut portion of bone into the sinus cavity. In the newly lifted area, your surgeon will place bone graft materials. This can be bone from another part of your body or artificial bone material. Before the procedure, you and your doctor will have discussed the best option for you. Sutures will be used by your surgeon to close the incisions in your gums.

Recovery 

Swelling and bleeding are two of the most common side effects of a sinus lift. This discomfort usually lasts only a few days, and you can resume your normal activities as directed by your doctor.

The perforation of the Schneiderian membrane is the most common complication of sinus lift surgery. Perforation of this membrane, which lines the maxillary sinus cavity, increases the risk of chronic sinusitis and sinus infection.

If this happens during surgery, a doctor will either try to repair the membrane or stop the procedure entirely.

Cost 

The procedure can cost between $1,500 and $5,000. Prior to the procedure, your doctor should go over the expected costs with you.

If you have dental insurance, it may cover a portion of the procedure. To pay for the procedure, some people choose financing options such as payment plans with their dentist or financing through a medical financing company.