Since dental implants have become a commonplace procedure, the sinus lift is being performed with corresponding frequency. For many people, a sinus lift — also known as sinus augmentation — is needed to make a dental implant possible.
Some people who need a dental implant don’t have enough bone support necessary for the procedure because of bone loss. A sinus lift increases the amount of bone in the upper jaw by adding bone to the space between the molars and premolars. To make room for the bone, the sinus membrane has to be moved upward or “lifted,” which gives the surgery its name. It is usually performed by a dental specialist like an oral maxillofacial surgeon or a periodontist.
Although being told that your implant will require a sinus lift may cause some apprehension, knowing the facts about this proven procedure and what to expect will help you feel confident about having a successful outcome.
Reasons Why You May Need Sinus Lift Surgery
Jawbone anatomy is such that the upper jaw naturally has less bone than the lower jaw. Some people simply have a smaller jawbone, while others have jawbone loss. Pacific Oral Surgery lists the following factors that can contribute to jawbone loss:
Tooth loss — Missing teeth eventually lead to bone resorption (absorption back into the body) if the space is left vacant.
Periodontal (gum) disease — If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause bone loss.
Oral pathology — Cysts or tumors can damage the jawbone.
A toothless (edentulous) area — The collapse of the tooth socket — together with an expansion of the maxillary sinus floor (which occurs when a molar is lost) — causes the jawbone to thin out, resulting in less volume available for the dental implant.
Physiological factors which can necessitate sinus lift surgery include:
- A small jaw.
- Location of the sinuses, blood vessels, and nerves.
- Large sinus (can enlarge with age).
- Proximity of adjacent teeth roots.
The Two Main Types of Sinus Lift Surgery
There are two types of sinus lift procedures: lateral window technique and transcrestal technique. The type that your oral surgeon recommends will depend upon your individual situation.
Lateral window technique — Also known as the direct sinus lift procedure, this is considered the traditional sinus augmentation surgery. The oral surgeon makes an incision in the gum, exposing the bone. A window is then made into the sinus and the piece of bone cut out is pushed into the sinus cavity. The bone graft is placed in the space underneath.
The incision is sutured closed, leaving the bone graft to heal for four to six months. In some circumstances, the dental implant is placed at the time of the sinus lift procedure.
Transcrestal technique — Also known as the osteotome technique or indirect sinus lift procedure, this is a less invasive sinus lift surgery that can be performed when over 6mm of natural bone height is present and the sinus floor requires less than 4mm of elevation. A flap of gum tissue is cut to form a socket in the bone. An osteotome is a surgical instrument with many uses, depending upon the procedure. In a sinus lift, it’s used to tap the sinus floor into proper position. The dental implant is typically placed during transcrestal sinus lift surgery, and bone integration takes approximately four to six months.
Each type of sinus lift procedure requires bone grafting material. As our blog post — “Why You Might Need a Dental Bone Graft” — covers, there are five types of bone grafting material:
- Autografts use bone tissue obtained from the patient’s own body. The practitioner typically takes this tissue from the patient’s chin, shin, or hip.
- Allografts come from a human donor, usually cadaver bone that has undergone treatments to make it neutral to immune reactions and free of host diseases.
- Xenografts use the inorganic portions of animal bones, and cows are a common source.
- Alloplasts are created from hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral in bone.
- Ceramic-based grafts are made from ceramics alone or in combination with another material such as calcium or bioactive glass.
The first three types are most common for sinus lift surgery. Of course, it is important to talk with your oral surgeon before the procedure to discuss which bone grafting material is best for your situation.
What You Can Expect While Recovering from Sinus Lift Surgery
Your recovery time will depend on the type of sinus lift surgery you undergo. You may experience some swelling around the surgical site and light bleeding from the nose or mouth. You will be told to avoid exercising and heavy activity for seven to 14 days.
Your surgeon will provide detailed post-operative instructions after your sinus lift surgery. Follow them exactly to avoid dislodging the grafting material. Basic instructions include the following:
- Do not blow your nose for the next four weeks.
- If you need to sneeze, do so with your mouth open; do not hold your nose to stifle a sneeze.
- Do not drink through a straw for the next four weeks.
- Do not spit for the next four weeks.
- Do not smoke for the next four weeks, as smoking dramatically increases the risk of bone graft failure, sinus augmentation failure and infection. Our blog post — “How Smoking Affects Your Oral Health” — covers this topic in detail.
Your oral surgeon will prescribe medication, which may include the following:
- Antibiotics and antimicrobial mouthwash to prevent infection.
- Pain medicine to alleviate any discomfort.
- Decongestants or saline spray to keep your nose clear and moist.
- Anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling.
The Take-Home Message
Sinus augmentation is an established procedure to build up the amount of bone in the upper jaw to accommodate dental implants. Should you need sinus lift surgery, be sure that the oral surgeon who will perform it has the qualifications and experience to achieve the best result.
NK Family Dental is proud to have Dr. Amir Danesh as a valued member of our practice. Dr. Danesh earned his DDS in 2008 and received his postdoctoral training in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry from New York University. He is a board-certified periodontist and Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and has contributed to the publication of two books, as well as published over 20 papers in prestigious dental research journals.
His specialty clinical training and academic research focus on various advanced and complicated implant and oral surgeries — including bone regeneration and grafting, sinus lift procedure, ridge augmentation, atraumatic surgical extractions and site preservation, soft tissue augmentation and treatment of gum and peri-implant diseases.
You can learn more about Dr. Danesh’s credentials and honors on our Meet the Doctors page.
At NK Family Dental, it is our mission to provide the highest quality and most compassionate oral care to our Chicago patients, including both dental and periodontal services. Our practice is trusted for advanced oral surgery procedures and comfortable root canal treatment.
Our team of experienced, dedicated dental professionals will help address your oral health concerns, and determine the best solution for you based on your individual situation. We strive to identify treatment options that fit your needs.
Our dental specialists include our general dentist, Dr. Nilofer Khan, our endodontist, Dr. Sabek, and, of course, Dr. Danesh!
We serve the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Wicker Park with the dedication that’s earned us the reputation as the Best Dentist in Chicago!
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