Sinus Lift

Sinus lift is a form of surgery generally administered when a patient needs dental implants, but their upper jawbone is not dense enough to support one. In this case, the patient will need to have a bone graft, and their sinus membrane moved upwards or lifted if it is too close to the implant site. Star28 Dental Clinic wants to quell any worries people may have surrounding sinus lifts, by outlining the procedure and its benefits.

Why Do I Need a Sinus Lift?

A sinus lift, more often than not, needs to take place for the purpose of fitting a dental implant. Dental implants are beneficial to patients who have missing, decayed, or chipped teeth, amongst other reasons. Dental implants are placed into the gum, and act as a natural tooth root would, supporting a crown or dental bridge that works for a number of cosmetic and structural purposes within the mouth. 

A sinus lift is specifically needed when replacing a tooth on the upper back jaw, where the bone is less dense than other places within the mouth. The sinus is just above the upper back jawbone, and several reasons can lead to the need for a sinus lift. 

Often, the jawbone is simply not dense enough, and the sinus floor is too close to the tooth root, meaning the bone would be unfit to be drilled and have an implant fitted. Patients who have suffered from periodontitis and bone loss may have a weakened jaw where the bone is too soft for a strong implant to take place.

When an implant is being considered, our dentists will thoroughly examine the oral cavity, including x-rays and 3D modeling of your mouth, to effectively tell you the condition and density of your jawbone, and whether a sinus lift would be needed to allow a bone graft to be placed. 

The Procedure

The procedure is done with local anesthesia and should prove to cause minimal discomfort to the patient. It is performed by our periodontist, who will cut a small incision into your gums to expose the upper jawbone. The periodontist will then cut into the jawbone to reveal the membrane that exists between the jawbone and the sinus. The membrane is lifted to allow space for bone graft material to be placed. Once the bone graft is in place, the gum is stitched, and the recovery process begins. 

Our dentist will discuss with you the possible sources of your bone graft, and the type best suited for your circumstance. 

The recovery time for a sinus lift is 2-3 days. The patient will experience some bleeding after the surgery, but it should not be excessive. At Star28 Dental Clinic we offer sinus lifts that will strengthen your jawbone and allow for the placement of dental implants. If you have any worries about your sinus lift, please contact us before the appointment. The success rate for a sinus lift is very high, and complications are usually minor. Contact us at (714) 523-2828 to book your consultation appointment now.