Context: What’s a Sinus Lift?
In truth, not all dental care just focuses on teeth and gums. Some services focus on improving your jawbone – sinus lifts included.
Put simply, a sinus lift is a special type of jaw surgery. It grafts bone onto the upper jaw near the molars and premolars. To make room for the extra tissue, it usually lifts the maxillary sinus membrane (hence its name.)
Generally, recovery from a sinus lift takes 6-12 months. The treatment site should be fully healed after that period. Still, the exact timing varies by patient.
Why Get One Before Implant Surgery?
To be honest, not every implant patient needs a sinus lift. Only those with specific criteria require this work before placement.
In particular, patients who’ve lost bone around their upper jaw need a sinus lift. The procedure would add new tissue to a weak part of your jawbone. From there, your jaw would have the necessary density to support implants. It’d ensure a much lower risk of implant failure.
Often, the upper jaw requires a sinus lift when:
- It suffered previous damage
- A cyst or tumor was removed from the area
- You suffered bone loss due to gum disease
- Bone tissue receded due to tooth loss
- You have a naturally large sinus cavity or thin jawbone
What Should You Expect From It?
Overall, a sinus lift has two stages: the preparation phase and the later surgery. Only when both are performed does the treatment succeed.
Prep Phase
Before the actual sinus lift, you’ll consult with your dental surgeon. Doing so lets them learn your smile goals, oral health status, and medical history. That way, they can confirm whether a sinus lift suits you.
In particular, the consult may include dental X-rays or CT scans. These images will allow the dentist to assess your jaw closely. Based on what they find, they’ll then prepare for your lift treatment.
Involved Surgery
To perform a sinus lift, your dentist will carry out several steps. They’ll first make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the area’s bone. Next, they’ll push away or “lift” the now-revealed sinus membrane. After filling the space below with bone granules, they’ll wrap up by stitching the gum tissue back together. The end result will be a fuller and denser upper jaw!
Should you need a sinus lift before implant placement, don’t worry. Your local dentist can carry out the former treatment to prepare you for the latter. At that point, you’ll be one step closer to a full grin!