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What is a Sinus Lift for Dental Implant?

By Betty October 13th, 2022 84 views
Besides cavities, braces, and root canals, there are still many other different types of dental and oral maxillofacial procedures that people could benefit from. One of them is called a sinus lift, a surgery that makes dental implant placement easier. But why do we need a sinus lift and what benefits we can get from it?

While most people are familiar with cavities, braces, and root canals, there are still many other different types of dental and oral, and maxillofacial procedures that people can benefit from. It's important to understand what those options are so people can make educated decisions. One of them is sinus lift. 

Over the past 15 years, more and more people are getting dental implants, which has made sinus lifts more common. Do you need sinus lift surgery and have some unanswered questions? Well, we've given you the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about sinus lift surgery.

What is a Sinus Lift Surgery?

A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation, is a surgery that makes dental implant placement easier. While people need dental implants but don't have enough bone support, a sinus lift can help to solve the bone loss problem, as it can increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw by adding bone to the space between the molars and premolars. In order to make room for the increasing bone, the sinus membrane has to be moved upward. That is why it is called 'sinus lift'. Usually, a dental specialist like an oral maxillofacial surgeon or a periodontist can handle sinus lifting. 

Why and when need a sinus lift?

There are a few specific reasons why someone might need a dental sinus lift. 

  • Bone loss, usually in areas where teeth have been extracted, requires additional bone to stabilize the implant.
  • Bone damage or pathologies, such as tumors or cysts 
  • Not enough room to place an implant due to the small jaw size
  • Large sinus, resulting in little room for dental implant
  • Missing more than one tooth in the posterior area of the upper jaw
  • Missing teeth due to genetic or birth defects
  • Missing most of the upper teeth, requiring a strong sinus floor for multiple implants
  • Anatomical considerations such as the location of sinuses, nerves, blood vessels, and the roots of adjacent teeth

How is a Sinus Lift Performed?

On the day of the procedure, the surgeon will make an incision along the gum line in the area where the rear teeth used to live. Once the incision is made, the tissue is lifted from the surface. This will expose the surface of the bone.

After this, the surgeon will use a special tool to make a small, round window in the bone itself. This window will give the surgeon a clear view of the sinus, which leaves on the other side of the jaw. After this, the membrane of the jaw is gently moved up and out of the way of the jaw bone itself.

Once the sinus has been lifted, a few granules of graft material are placed into the space where the sinus used to be. While the amount of graft varies, it is important because it promotes the growth of bone that will take the place of the sinus. This is where the 'augmentation' part of the procedure comes in.

After the graft material has been placed, the tissue itself will be closed with a few stitches. Then, the bone is given time to heal. A few months later, the implants are placed. Follow-up appointments with the surgeon are necessary to make sure that the growth and healing process is going according to plan.

A sinus lift dental implant practice model is popular in dental clinics, universities, sinus lift courses, dental implant training courses, etc. That is a necessary practice tool before becoming or having been a professional dentist or dental specialist.

Maxillary Sinus Lift Dental Implant Practice Mode A

What Should I Expect after a Sinus Lift?

You may have some minor swelling of the area after the procedure. We recommend refraining from blowing your nose and attempting to sneeze with your mouth open, to prevent the bone-graft material from shifting or causing communication between your sinus and mouth.

Your dentist may give you saline sprays to moisten the inside lining of your nose and prescribe drugs to prevent congestion and inflammation. You will also receive pain medicine, an antibiotic, and an antimicrobial mouth rinse to stave off infection. The majority of patients experience only slight discomfort after sinus augmentation.

Following a sinus lift, you will need to wait 6 months for the bony material to harden and merge properly with your jaw. Depending on the grafting substance used, implants may be placed in six months.

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