Sinus Lift Surgery
Sinus Lift Surgery
What is a sinus?
- A sinus is a hollow air cavity within the bones of the skull. The sinus is connected to the nasal cavity. There are four pairs of sinuses in your facial bones
- Your maxillary sinuses exist in the region of your cheekbones and in close proximity to the roots of your upper back teeth
- When an implant is needed to replace an upper back tooth, there needs to be enough bone for the implant to sit in and it needs to be seated clear of the sinus. This is because sinus is a sterile environment, and it is important that they remain sterile in order to avoid infection. Therefore, the implant should not break through the wall of the sinus to minimise complications.
- In cases where a dental implant is planned for an upper back tooth, but the bone between the mouth and the sinus is inadequate, a sinus lift can be considered. This may be combined with bone grafting.
What is a sinus lift?
- When the bone in the region where the implant is planned is too thin and insufficient for the placement of an implant, a sinus lift is performed to increase the amount of bone in this region
- The sinus membrane is raised or ‘lifted’ and a bone graft is placed into the space between the sinus membrane and the existing bone
- The bone graft will integrate with the existing bone, creating a stable and secure foundation for the implant to be placed
What does the process of a sinus lift involve?
- An initial consultation for the dental implant with your oral surgeon will be an important first step. During this consultation, a thorough examination will be performed and this usually includes taking x-rays and other imaging tests. At this stage, your oral surgeon will be able to discuss the options you have and inform you if you are suitable for an implant and if they recommend a sinus life in your specific situation
- During the treatment day, you will be sufficiently numbed with local anaesthesia.
- This is a surgical procedure, a small cut will be made into your gum in the region where the implant is to be placed
- Your existing bone will be manipulated and a small circle will be cut into the bone to create access to the sinus lining.
- The lining of the sinus will be raised to the planned level and the resultant gap will be filled with bone graft.
- The initial cut into your gum will be closed with stitches to allow for healing
- Following the surgery, the healing period can range from several weeks to several months. It is important to give the bone sufficient time to heal and integrate instead of rushing treatment
What are the risks associated with a sinus lift?
- This is a complex oral surgical procedure and should be performed by a trained and experienced specialist. Your oral surgeon will be best able to discuss the options available and the risks involved in different treatments
- Pain, bleeding, bruising and swelling is to be expected as part of the natural healing process following any surgical procedure
- The risk of infection is always present with surgery, and measures will be taken to minimise the risk as much as possible
- There is a great degree of surgical precision required and it is important to seek this treatment from a specialist. They can help you minimise the risk of the following
- There is a risk of perforation of the sinus membrane, which can cause sinus problems.
- There is a risk of failure of the bone graft and integration, which might necessitate a second procedure or considering other treatment options
- There is a risk of nerve damage if the nerves near the surgery site are disturbed