A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that some people need before having implants placed in their upper jaw.
It involves placing a bone graft between your upper jaw and the lining of your sinuses, which are closest to your back teeth (also known as molars). The sinus lift will then naturally fuse with your jaw, allowing for the placement of an implant.
Why is a sinus lift necessary?
Implants are surgically fused to your jawbone. This means that there needs to be enough bone to allow the implant to heal properly.
As we age, our sinus cavity grows and bone loss occurs. This can also happen after an accident, a difficult extraction, if you have gum disease, or if you have had a cyst or tumor removed. This sometimes means that there is not enough bone height in the upper jaw to accommodate dental implants.
Although it may sound scary, a sinus lift is a fairly common procedure and is only performed by an experienced dentist or surgeon. If you are feeling particularly anxious about the procedure, let your dentist know and we will help you relax.
How much does a sinus lift cost?
The cost of a sinus lift depends on the complexity of the procedure, the size of the graft you need and the materials used. Your dentist will give you a clear breakdown of treatment costs once they have suggested a treatment plan.
How is a sinus lift performed?
After your dentist has had a clinical assessment, they will be able to tell you if you need a sinus lift. This is when your dentist will assess your mouth to see what type of treatment you need and whether you are suitable for implants.
Depending on the complexity of the procedure you need, your sinus lift can be performed in-office (under local anesthesia) or in hospital. For example, if you need a complex sinus lift procedure that involves your hip bone, this will be done in hospital under general anesthesia.
During
After your anaesthetic has been given, your dentist or surgeon will cut into your gums and then create a ‘window’ in your jawbone to expose the sinus membrane. New bone material is then placed in the space between your jaw and the sinus membrane, and a collagen membrane may be fixed over the bone material to hold it in place. The gum tissue is then stitched closed.
Afterwards
Your gums may be swollen for a while after the procedure, and you may experience some bleeding from your nose or mouth. You may also experience some pain in your gums, which you can manage with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection and anti-inflammatory medication to help with swelling. Your stitches will be removed after a week, and your dentist will check your healing progress. It is important to look after your sinus lift after the procedure to ensure it heals properly.
Integration and healing
Depending on the material used in your sinus lift, it usually takes between four and nine months for the bone graft to integrate with your jawbone. Once your gums have healed, you will be ready to have your implants placed.
