What is A Sinus Lift
A sinus lift is a surgery that’s done to add bone to the upper jaw of the molars, along with the premolars. It’s sometimes called the sinus augmentation. The bone is then placed between the jaw and the maxillary sinuses, which are on each side of your nose. In order to make room for the bone, the sinus membrane is moved upward or lifted up. it’s done by a specialist, and it can be done by an oral or maxillofacial surgeon or even a periodontist.
This is used for people who don’t have enough bone height within the upper jaw, or the sinuses are too close, so the implants need to be placed. On the upper jaw, including the back teeth and molars, and they don’t have enough bone for the implants to be put down. Because of the way that the skull is, the back of the upper jaw is less than the lower jaw. If you have some bone that might be lost to gum disease, or tooth loss that may have caused bone loss as well. Since when the teeth are gone, the bone start to resorb and the teeth are missing for a long time, often there isn’t enough bone left for these implants. Or, there is the case where the maxillary sinus is too close to the upper jaw for these implants, in that the shape and size may vary and it might get larger as you grow a bit. Sinus lifts are common, and they are good for those who need implants for teeth.
To do this, the bonus of the sinus might come from either your own body, a cadaver, or a cow bone. If your own bone is used, it’s taken from other parts of the mouth or body, and it might be from the hip or the tibia. You will need X-rays to determine whether this can be done, in order to see how your jaw and sinus are put together. And, you may also need a CT scan, which will allow for the dentist to measure the height and the width of the area of your sinus. If you do have allergies, you need to do this when you’re not suffering from them.
The surgeon cuts the gum tissue where the back teeth were prior. Once they’re raised, they expose the bone, and from there a small window is opened up there. The membrane that lifts the sinus on the other side will be pushed up as well. Small parts of your bone graft are out there, and while this does vary by millimeters, it’s then closed via stitches. The implants are then put in there 4-9 months later, depending on the amount of healing needed.
This is good if you need implants put in, but your sinuses are in the way. it’s not super complicated, but it’s a novel procedure that does help others who suffer from dental issues and need implants as well.
