Sinus floor elevation (sinus lift)
The maxillary sinus is an air-filled cavity, often compared to a balloon, located above the upper jawbone and just beneath the eye. It plays an important role in the anatomy of the face but can create challenges for dental procedures following tooth loss.
When the back upper teeth are extracted, two significant changes often occur. First, the jawbone begins to shrink and lose density over time. Second, the maxillary sinus naturally expands into the space where the bone once was. Together, these changes reduce the amount of bone available, making it difficult to securely place dental implants.
To address this, a surgical procedure called a sinus lift, or maxillary sinus floor elevation, is performed. During a sinus lift, the maxillary sinus, or “balloon,” is carefully lifted to create additional space. This allows for the insertion of a bone graft, which increases bone volume and provides a strong foundation for implant placement. Depending on the individual case, implants can be placed during the same surgery or after the bone has healed.
Sinus lift procedures are commonly performed under general anaesthesia or intravenous sedation for comfort. However, in some cases, they can also be done using local anaesthesia, depending on the patient’s needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions!
Why would I need a sinus lift?
The maxillary sinus is very similar to a balloon full of air, located under the eye and above the upper jaw (back teeth). Usually, if a back tooth is extracted, the bone tends to shrink (resorb), and the maxillary sinus expands to fill the space left by the missing tooth and bone. This reduces the possibility of having a tooth replacement (dental implant) places in that area. Hence, a sinus lift is a procedure that is performed when the bone in the upper jaw is too this or too little to support a dental implant. In this procedure, the maxillary sinus is pushed upwards to create space to place a bone graft. This bone graft is left to mature (heal and integrate with the surrounding bone) for six months, to allow for implant placement later.
Is the sinus lift procedure painful?
The procedure can be done under local anaesthetic, general anaesthetic, general anaesthetic, or intravenous sedations, so you won’t feel pain during the surgery. Afterward, some discomfort, numbness, swelling, or bruising may occur, but these symptoms are usually manageable with pain medication. Surprisingly, most patients don’t report significant discomfort after the sinus lift procedure.
How long is the recovery after a sinus lift?
Generally, recovery takes between a few days to a week. However, full healing, including bone maturation and integration, takes around six months. During the initial recovery phase (the first two weeks), you made need to avoid certain activities, such as blowing your nose, to prevent complications.
Are there risks or complications associated with a sinus lift?
As with any surgery, there are risks, such as infection, bleeding or sinus membrane perforation. However, we take all the possible precautions to minimise the occurrence of these complications and ensure a successful outcome.
Are there any activities I should avoid during recovery?
Avoid activities that could disturb the surgical site, such as blowing your nose, sneezing forcefully or sucking through a straw. These actions put pressure on the sinus area and interfere with healing. Additionally, during the first week, you should avoid any form of exercise or vigorous activity to reduce the risk of bleeding.
The Periodontists specialise in all kinds of dental implants and gum based surgeries
Sinus floor elevation (sinus lift)
The maxillary sinus is an air-filled cavity, often compared to a balloon, located above the upper jawbone and just beneath the eye. It plays an important role in the anatomy of the face but can create challenges for dental procedures following tooth loss.
When the back upper teeth are extracted, two significant changes often occur. First, the jawbone begins to shrink and lose density over time. Second, the maxillary sinus naturally expands into the space where the bone once was. Together, these changes reduce the amount of bone available, making it difficult to securely place dental implants.
To address this, a surgical procedure called a sinus lift, or maxillary sinus floor elevation, is performed. During a sinus lift, the maxillary sinus, or “balloon,” is carefully lifted to create additional space. This allows for the insertion of a bone graft, which increases bone volume and provides a strong foundation for implant placement. Depending on the individual case, implants can be placed during the same surgery or after the bone has healed.
Sinus lift procedures are commonly performed under general anaesthesia or intravenous sedation for comfort. However, in some cases, they can also be done using local anaesthesia, depending on the patient’s needs and preferences.
Why would I need a sinus lift?
The maxillary sinus is very similar to a balloon full of air, located under the eye and above the upper jaw (back teeth). Usually, if a back tooth is extracted, the bone tends to shrink (resorb), and the maxillary sinus expands to fill the space left by the missing tooth and bone. This reduces the possibility of having a tooth replacement (dental implant) places in that area. Hence, a sinus lift is a procedure that is performed when the bone in the upper jaw is too this or too little to support a dental implant. In this procedure, the maxillary sinus is pushed upwards to create space to place a bone graft. This bone graft is left to mature (heal and integrate with the surrounding bone) for six months, to allow for implant placement later.
Is the sinus lift procedure painful?
The procedure can be done under local anaesthetic, general anaesthetic, general anaesthetic, or intravenous sedations, so you won’t feel pain during the surgery. Afterward, some discomfort, numbness, swelling, or bruising may occur, but these symptoms are usually manageable with pain medication. Surprisingly, most patients don’t report significant discomfort after the sinus lift procedure.
How long is the recovery after a sinus lift?
Generally, recovery takes between a few days to a week. However, full healing, including bone maturation and integration, takes around six months. During the initial recovery phase (the first two weeks), you made need to avoid certain activities, such as blowing your nose, to prevent complications.
Are there risks or complications associated with a sinus lift?
As with any surgery, there are risks, such as infection, bleeding or sinus membrane perforation. However, we take all the possible precautions to minimise the occurrence of these complications and ensure a successful outcome.
Are there any activities I should avoid during recovery?
Avoid activities that could disturb the surgical site, such as blowing your nose, sneezing forcefully or sucking through a straw. These actions put pressure on the sinus area and interfere with healing. Additionally, during the first week, you should avoid any form of exercise or vigorous activity to reduce the risk of bleeding.
