Sinus Surgery

What is a Sinus Lift?

The maxillary sinuses are located behind the cheeks and on top of the upper teeth. Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend into the maxillary sinuses which are empty and air filled. However, when the upper teeth are removed, there is often a thin wall, made of bone, which separated the maxillary sinus and the mouth.

When the sinus wall is very thin, it becomes harder for the dentist to perform dental implants. This is because dental implants need bone to hold them in position. Thus, when the sinus wall is thin, it becomes impossible to perform dental implant placement in the bone.

However, one of the keys to a successful and long-lasting dental implant is the quantity and quality of the jaw bone. The stronger the jaw bone, the higher the chances of a healthy attachment of the dental implant to the bone. In the case of bone loss, which may be caused due to impact, injuries, or periodontal diseases, sinus augmentation may be recommended.

Sinus augmentation is aimed at raising the floor of the sinus thus allowing the formation of new bone. A sinus lift has however become one of the commonest bone grafting procedures in the dental world, especially recommended for patients who have suffered bone loss in the upper jaw area.

Sinus lift is aimed at growing the bone in the floor of the maxillary sinus above the bony ridge of the gum line. The bone which is grown anchors the teeth to the upper jaw thus enabling dental implants to be directly placed and secured in the newly grown bone.

Can I enjoy the benefits of a sinus lift procedure?

A sinus lift procedure may be recommended by dentists at The Dental Specialty Center if:

• You are missing more than one tooth in the back of your jaw
• You are missing significant amount of bone in the back of your jaw
• Your teeth are missing due to birth defects or condition
• You are missing most of the maxillary teeth and require support for dental implants to hold in place.

How can my dentist achieve the sinus lift procedure?

At The Dental Specialty Center, NJ, we have a team of reliable, experienced and professional dentists who have handled this procedure and other similar ones over the years. To ensure that the patient’s oral health is restored, a small incision is made on the premolar or molar region to expose the jaw bone. Thereafter, a small opening is cut into the bone and the membrane lining of the sinus is pushed upwards.

Bone grafting material, either from the patient’s body or other sources is then filled into the underlying space. In some cases, dentists may make use of synthetic materials to imitate bone formation materials. After the bone is implanted, the incision is sutured and the healing process commences.

Months after the procedure, the bone becomes a part of the patient’s jaw and the dental implant can then be installed and stabilized.
Through sinus graft, many patients have become eligible for dental implant procedures.

What Else Should You Expect After a Sinus Lift?

You may experience mild swelling and some minor discomfort, which usually lasts a few days. You can place ice packs around the area to help ease the swelling. Our New Jersey Sinus Surgery dentist may also recommend some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce the discomfort, and you may need to take some antibiotics to prevent infection. The sinus membrane may become a little inflamed, making you experience mild congestion. In such a situation, consider using a decongestant.

If you have a problem with seasonal allergies, it is advisable to schedule your sinus surgery at The Dental Specialty Center in Willingboro, NJ, for a time when there’s minimal chance of having an allergic attack. It takes about three days to recover from a sinus lift procedure.

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