Are missing teeth in your upper jaw preventing you from getting the dental implants you want? A sinus lift could be the solution you’re looking for. According to the National Institutes of Health, this remarkable procedure has transformed implant dentistry with success rates of 85% to 97%. When you need additional bone to support dental implants, this specialized surgical technique can make the impossible possible.
Patients who have experienced bone loss due to periodontal disease or natural anatomy no longer have to settle for dentures or bridges. At Oral Surgery Specialists of NY, our expert surgeons perform these life-changing procedures daily, helping patients achieve the confident smile and functional teeth they deserve.
Understanding Sinus Lift Procedures
A sinus lift, also known as sinus augmentation, is a surgical procedure that increases the amount of bone in the upper jaw by adding bone graft material between the jaw and the maxillary sinuses. The maxillary sinuses are empty, air-filled spaces located behind your cheeks and above the upper teeth. During the procedure, the sinus membrane is lifted upward to make room for the additional bone. This creates a stronger foundation for dental implants in areas with insufficient natural bone strength.
5 Types of Bone Graft Materials Used in Sinus Lift Procedures
- Autogenous Bone: Harvested from your own body, typically from other areas of the mouth or jaw. This type offers excellent compatibility since it contains your cells and growth factors.
- Allograft: Bone obtained from human donors that has been carefully processed and sterilized. It is an effective scaffold for new bone growth without requiring a second surgical site.
- Xenograft: Derived from animal sources, usually bovine (cow) bone, which has been processed to be biocompatible with humans. These materials closely resemble the human bone structure.
- Synthetic Materials: Man-made substances such as calcium phosphate that mimic the composition of natural bone. These offer consistent quality and eliminate disease transmission concerns.
- Growth Factors: Proteins like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) can be added to other graft materials to accelerate healing and bone formation.
3 Types of Sinus Lift Procedures
Lateral Window Technique
The lateral window technique is the most common approach for sinus lift procedures. It involves creating a small window in the outer wall of the maxillary sinus. This allows the surgeon to access the sinus cavity. The surgeon then carefully lifts the sinus membrane and places the bone graft material in the newly created space.
The Lateral Window Technique is Recommended:
- When significant bone augmentation is needed (more than 4-5mm of height)
- For patients with severely resorbed upper jaw bone
- When multiple implants are planned in the posterior maxilla
- In cases where the existing bone is less than 4mm in height
Crestal Approach
The crestal approach or the transalveolar technique, is a less invasive method that accesses the sinus floor through the site where the dental implant will be placed. Using specialized instruments, the surgeon fractures the sinus floor in a controlled manner and gently pushes it upward along with the sinus membrane.
The Crestal Approach is Recommended:
- When moderate bone augmentation is needed (2-4mm of height)
- For single implant placements
- When there is at least 5-6mm of existing bone height
- For patients seeking a less invasive option with reduced recovery time
Balloon Sinus Lift
The balloon sinus lift is an innovative, minimally invasive technique. It uses a special balloon catheter to separate and lift the sinus membrane. Once elevated, bone graft material is introduced through the same small entry point to create space for implant placement.
The Balloon Sinus Lift is Recommended:
- For patients who prefer minimally invasive procedures
- When moderate bone augmentation is required
- When reduced surgical trauma is beneficial for the patient
- In cases where there are concerns about membrane perforation risk
Why would you have a sinus lift performed?
Insufficient Bone Height for Dental Implants
The upper back jaw often has insufficient bone height for dental implant placement because of its proximity to the maxillary sinus. When teeth are lost in this area, the bone naturally resorbs over time, while the sinus may expand further, leaving inadequate bone for implant anchoring. A sinus lift creates the foundation for successful implant placement by adding bone where it’s most needed.
Bone Loss Due to Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a gum infection that damages soft tissue and can destroy the bone supporting your teeth. This condition often leads to significant bone loss in the upper jaw, making it impossible to place dental implants without first rebuilding the lost bone structure. A sinus lift procedure restores the compromised bone caused by periodontal disease.
Anatomical Limitations
Some individuals naturally have larger sinus cavities or thinner sinus floors than others. These anatomical variations can limit the available bone for implant placement, even without tooth loss or disease. A sinus lift can overcome these natural limitations by creating additional bone height where implants need to be placed.
Age-Related Bone Resorption
As we age, bone density and volume naturally decrease throughout the body, including the jawbone. This age-related bone resorption can be particularly problematic in the upper jaw, where bone is already less dense compared to the lower jaw. Sinus lift procedures help counteract these natural aging effects by adding bone volume where it’s needed for implant support.
What happens during a sinus lift?
- Initial Examination and Planning: Your surgeon will take detailed scans, usually a CT scan or 3D imaging, to evaluate your sinus and bone anatomy. This helps determine the exact amount of bone needed and the best surgical approach.
- Anesthesia Administration: The procedure begins with the administration of local anesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the surgery. Sedation options may also be available depending on your preference and anxiety level.
- Accessing the Sinus Cavity: The surgeon makes a small incision in the gum tissue where the back teeth were previously located to expose the jawbone. The specific technique (lateral window or crestal approach) determines the exact location of this access point.
- Creating Space for Bone Graft: The sinus membrane is carefully separated from the floor of the sinus and gently pushed upward to create a space for the bone graft material. Special instruments are used to ensure the membrane remains intact during this delicate step.
- Placing the Bone Graft Material: The chosen bone graft material is packed into the newly created space. This material will serve as a scaffold for your body’s new bone growth.
- Securing the Surgical Site: The gum tissue is repositioned and secured with stitches to protect the surgical area and allow proper healing. In some cases, a collagen membrane may be placed over the bone graft for additional protection.
- Healing Period: The bone graft material will integrate with your natural bone over a period of 4-9 months, depending on the amount of bone being added and your individual healing capacity.
- Implant Placement: Once adequate healing has occurred and sufficient bone has formed, dental implants can be placed in a separate procedure.
Is a sinus lift painful?
A sinus lift procedure is not typically painful during the surgery itself because it’s performed under local anesthesia, which completely numbs the area. Most patients report that the discomfort following a sinus lift is comparable to that of a tooth extraction, with mild to moderate soreness for a few days afterward that can be effectively managed with prescribed pain medications.
8 Tips for Managing Pain After a Sinus Lift
- Follow Medication Instructions: Take all prescribed antibiotics and pain medications exactly as directed to prevent infection and manage discomfort effectively.
- Apply Ice Packs: Use cold compresses on the outside of your face in 20-minute intervals during the first 24-48 hours to reduce swelling and numb the area.
- Maintain a Soft Food Diet: Stick to soft, lukewarm foods for the first week to avoid putting pressure on the surgical site and potentially dislodging the bone graft.
- Avoid Blowing Your Nose: Refrain from blowing your nose for at least two weeks to prevent damaging the sinus membrane or dislodging the bone graft material.
- Sleep with Your Head Elevated: Use extra pillows to keep your head above your heart while sleeping, which helps reduce swelling and pressure in the surgical area.
- Avoid Strenuous Activity: Limit physical exertion for 1-2 weeks as increased blood pressure can lead to bleeding and complications.
- Don’t Smoke or Use Straws: Avoid smoking and drinking through straws as both create pressure changes that can damage the healing sinus membrane.
- Attend All Follow-up Appointments: Regular check-ups allow your surgeon to monitor healing and address any concerns before they become serious complications.
Conclusion
A sinus lift is a specialized but routine procedure that creates the foundation needed for successful dental implants. By understanding what to expect before, during, and after this surgery, patients can approach their treatment with confidence. This procedure has helped countless individuals achieve the stable, functional, and aesthetic tooth replacements they desire.
We invite you to schedule an appointment with us at The Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Specialists of New York to discuss whether a sinus lift procedure might be right for your dental implant needs. Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages for more educational content about oral surgery procedures, and check out our excellent patient reviews on Yelp to learn about others’ experiences with our care.