Sinus Lift Surgery

Sinus lift surgery, also known as sinus augmentation, is a dental procedure performed to increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw in the area of the molars and premolars. It is commonly done when there is insufficient bone height in the upper jaw to support dental implants.

During a sinus lift procedure, the sinus membrane is gently lifted or elevated, and a bone graft material is placed in the space between the sinus floor and the upper jawbone. The bone graft material can be sourced from the patient’s own bone (autogenous graft), donor bone (allograft), or synthetic bone substitutes (alloplastic grafts). Over time, the grafted material fuses with the existing bone, creating a more stable and sufficient bone volume to support dental implants.

Sinus lift surgery may be necessary for several reasons:

1. Tooth Loss: When teeth in the upper jaw are lost or extracted, the surrounding bone can resorb or shrink over time. This bone loss can reduce the amount of available bone for dental implant placement.
2. Sinus Enlargement: The maxillary sinuses, located above the upper jaw, can expand over time, encroaching upon the available bone height for implants.
3. Genetic Factors: Some individuals naturally have less bone volume in the upper jaw, making a sinus lift necessary to create a suitable foundation for dental implants.

Sinus lift surgery is typically performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or a periodontist, specialists trained in these procedures. They carefully evaluate the patient’s oral health, dental history, and conduct radiographic examinations to determine if a sinus lift is necessary and appropriate.

Following the surgery, a healing period is required to allow the bone graft to integrate with the existing bone. After successful healing, dental implants can be placed in the newly augmented bone, providing a stable and long-lasting solution for tooth replacement in the upper jaw.

Check out this article on Sinus Lift Surgery.