Sinus Lift Surgery in Viral Clinic

What is Sinus Lifting?

The maxillary sinus is a large air-filled cavity located above the upper jaw and below the eyes. When a tooth is lost in the upper jaw, especially molars or premolars, the bone in that area may shrink over time. As the bone recedes, the sinus cavity may expand downward, reducing the space available for dental implants. A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that aims to lift the sinus floor and add bone to the area where the implant will be placed. This added bone helps to create a solid foundation for the implant.

Sinus lifting is often used in conjunction with dental implants to restore missing teeth in the upper jaw, particularly in the back regions, where bone loss is more common.

Why is Sinus Lifting Necessary?

Tooth Loss: After the loss of a tooth, the bone that once supported it begins to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation, which can lead to insufficient bone for implants.
Sinus Expansion: The maxillary sinus naturally grows larger over time, especially if teeth are lost. This makes the space for implants smaller and may require sinus lifting to create more room.
Bone Atrophy: The jawbone naturally loses mass as people age or due to certain medical conditions, leading to a lack of bone for implants.
Infections: If there is an infection in the sinus or surrounding areas, bone loss can occur, making it harder to place implants.

How is a Sinus Lift Performed?

Pre-Surgery Consultation

Before the procedure, the dentist or surgeon will assess the health of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. They may take X-rays or CT scans to determine the amount of bone in the upper jaw and to examine the size of the sinus cavity. These images help the surgeon plan the surgery and determine how much bone needs to be added.

Anesthesia

Sinus lifting is typically done under local anesthesia to numb the area. However, for patients with anxiety or those undergoing a more complex procedure, sedation or general anesthesia may be used to ensure the patient is comfortable throughout the procedure.

Incision and Access

The surgeon makes a small incision in the gum tissue on the side of the upper jaw where the sinus needs to be lifted. The incision is made close to the molar area, where bone loss is most common.

Lifting the Sinus Membrane

The surgeon carefully creates a small window in the bone to access the sinus membrane. The sinus membrane is then gently lifted upward, creating space between the sinus cavity and the upper jaw.

Adding Bone Graft Material

Once the sinus membrane is lifted, bone graft material is placed into the space where the sinus cavity was. This graft material can be synthetic, donor bone, or bone taken from another part of your body. The goal is to add enough bone volume for the implant to have a stable foundation.

Closing the Incision

After the bone graft is placed, the surgeon will carefully close the incision in the gum tissue with sutures. In some cases, a temporary protective covering may be used to protect the graft during the healing process.

Recovery

The recovery period begins after the surgery. Healing typically takes a few months to allow the bone graft to integrate with the existing jawbone.

Types of Sinus Lift Procedures

Closed Sinus Lift (Indirect)

This is the more common approach for patients with mild bone loss. It involves the surgeon accessing the sinus cavity through the gum tissue without making a large incision. A small instrument is used to gently lift the sinus membrane, and bone graft material is placed in the sinus cavity.

Open Sinus Lift (Direct)

In cases of more significant bone loss, an open sinus lift may be necessary. This approach involves making an incision in the gum tissue and creating a small window in the bone to directly access the sinus membrane. The membrane is lifted, and bone graft material is placed in the sinus cavity.