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What Is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is a bone grafting procedure that increases the thickness of the jawbone above your upper back teeth. These are near the sinus cavities, located on either side of your nose, and are air-filled spaces. Sinus lift may be combined with gum graft, pinhole surgery, or LANAP if necessary to improve overall gum and bone health.
During sinus augmentation, the membrane separating your jawbone and sinus cavities is lifted upward. This creates a space into which bone graft material can be packed. In some cases, this procedure is planned alongside deep cleaning or treatment for periodontal disease.
When Is a Sinus Lift Necessary?
A sinus lift may be recommended if you are considering replacing upper back teeth with dental implants. This is because the jawbone nearest to your sinus cavities is naturally thinner.
Additionally, if your upper back teeth have been missing for a while, your jawbone could have begun to resorb and deteriorate naturally. Your jawbone can also be compromised by gingivitis or periodontitis which can be treated concurrently with bone graft or deep cleaning.
It’s essential to have enough jawbone in this area to support your implants properly. Without it, there is a risk of implant failure. If you have less than 4 to 6 mm of jawbone available for implants, you may need a sinus lift to increase this amount.
Determining if a Sinus Lift Is Necessary
Anyone considering dental implants will need a proper consultation with our dental implant dentist. During this consultation, we will need to take a cone beam CT scan of your jaws and any existing teeth.
The CT scan provides us with a wealth of valuable information, such as the location of your sinus cavities. It will clearly show any deficiencies in the quantity and quality of your jawbone.
We use the cone beam CT scan when planning implant surgery. If you require a sinus lift, your cone beam CT scan allows us to assess the amount of bone grafting material needed and plan the optimal location for each implant.
State-of-the-Art Sinus Lift Surgery
NYC Dentistry Center utilizes the latest and most advanced technologies to ensure a more comfortable patient experience and better treatment outcomes.
During your sinus lift, we may choose to use our W&H Piezomed for minimally invasive bone surgery. This utilizes ultrasound to cut through bone accurately. It is a gentler procedure that will not harm soft tissues, allowing for faster and more comfortable healing afterward.
The Sinus Lift Procedure Step by Step
A sinus lift or augmentation is a straightforward procedure, and a brief outline of what to expect is provided below. However, your treatment is customized for you so that the exact procedure may differ slightly.
Step One: Numbing Your Jaw
Your jaw is numbed to ensure your comfort, and we can provide sedation dentistry if needed.
Step Two: Sinus Lift
Once we are sure you feel completely comfortable, our periodontist will make a small incision into the gum to expose the bone near your sinus cavity.
A small hole is created in the bone, allowing us to see the sinus membrane. Once visible, it is gently lifted upward, creating a space between your jaw and the membrane.
Step Three: Placing the Bone Grafting Material
A suitable bone grafting material is packed into this newly created space to fill it and increase the bone height.
Once all the bone grafting material is in place, we carefully stitch your gum closed, and you are ready to go home, relax, and recover.
Recovery after a Sinus Lift
Before you leave our dental office, we will provide clear instructions on what to expect during your recovery, as well as advice on what to eat and how to maintain good oral care. We can also advise you when it’s okay to return to everyday activities.
- If we have prescribed antibiotics, please take them as directed and finish the course to help minimize the risk of infection.
- Follow our instructions on how to keep your mouth clean, and if you are unsure, then please get in touch with us so we can help you.
- Control any discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief, or we can prescribe pain relief. We may advise you to begin taking this before the anesthetic wears off to ensure you feel completely comfortable.
- Try not to sneeze and avoid blowing your nose, as this could dislodge the bone graft.
- Avoid smoking for at least a week after surgery, as this can delay healing.
- Avoid drinking through a straw because this can dislodge any protective blood clots.
After a sinus lift, recovery is likely to be relatively comfortable, but you may experience some minor bleeding or swelling during the first few days.
Healing should be well underway within a couple of weeks, but it can take several months or longer for a bone graft to finish healing, depending on the size of the graft.
Sinus Lift Complications
We take extensive precautions during any surgical procedure to ensure it is as successful as possible, but there is always a small level of risk. Although complications are rare, please get in touch with us immediately if you are concerned or begin to experience any of the following symptoms.
- Extensive and prolonged bleeding.
- Increasing discomfort or a sensation that the bone graft has moved.
- Worsening swelling and pain.
- Signs of an infection, such as pus around the graft site, swelling, or developing a fever.
When you visit NYC Dentistry Center for dental implants, we will carefully evaluate your jawbone health to determine if a sinus augmentation is necessary. If we recommend this treatment, then we will take the time to explain it in detail and to answer all your questions clearly.
Sinus lift surgery in Midtown East has a very high success rate, and it is a routine procedure. It can help ensure that your dental implant treatment is a success, providing a strong foundation for your new dental implants.
If you are considering dental implants but need additional bone support, a sinus lift at NYC Dentistry Center in Midtown East may be the right solution. Remember, our friendly dental team is here to help-please don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns. Call our office at (212) 518-6096 or visit our dentistry center to learn more.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th St #801
New York, NY 10017
(45th St. btw 5th Ave / Madison Ave)
(212) 518-6096