What is Sinus Lift?
Sinus lift is a surgical procedure performed in dentistry, especially before implant treatment. Sinus lift is performed to raise the floor of the sinus cavity in the posterior region of the upper jaw. This procedure is performed to create a suitable area for the placement of dental implants in cases where the bone structure in the upper jaw is insufficient. Sinus lift is a treatment method generally preferred to increase bone volume in areas where the sinus cavity intersects with the area where the upper jaw teeth will be placed.
Sinus lift is very beneficial for many patients. The sinus cavity is an air-filled area located immediately behind the upper jaw teeth. When there is not enough bone left in the lower part of this sinus cavity, dental implants cannot be placed in this area. In this case, sinus lift surgery comes into play.
How is Sinus Lifting Performed?
The sinus lifting procedure is based on the general principles of surgery, but the procedure is performed under regional anesthesia. This allows the patient to be treated painlessly. The surgical process works as follows:
- Initial Assessment and Planning: The sinus lifting procedure is first performed with a series of preliminary examinations and imaging techniques. The dentist or jaw surgeon examines the patient’s oral structure, bone density and the condition of the sinus cavity to decide whether they are suitable for surgical intervention. At this stage, the extent of the bone structure deficiency is determined using X-rays or CT scans.
- How the Surgery is Performed: During the sinus lifting procedure, a small incision is usually made in the gum area. This incision is made by the dentist to reach the sinus area. Then, the sinus membrane is carefully lifted upwards. This procedure is necessary to lift the lower part of the sinus cavity. After the sinus membrane is lifted, a bone graft is placed. The bone graft can usually be synthetic bone material or the patient’s own bone tissue.
- Bone Graft Placement: After the sinus membrane is lifted, a bone graft is placed in the space. This graft encourages new bone formation, and this process creates the appropriate bone density for the successful placement of dental implants.
- Healing Process: The healing process after sinus lift surgery usually covers a period of 4-6 months. During this period, the bone adapts to the graft and forms a new structure. Once the bone has healed, the implant can be placed.
Sinus Lift Advantages
There are many advantages to sinus lift surgery. These advantages can help patients go through the treatment process more easily and healthily:
- More Solid Implant Support: This procedure renews the missing bone structure in the upper jaw area and creates a solid base on which implants can be placed. This increases the long-term success rate of the implant.
- Aesthetic Results: After the implant is placed, a very natural appearance is achieved in terms of aesthetics. This procedure can be an important solution especially for patients with aesthetic concerns in the upper jaw.
- More Comfortable and Functional Tooth Structure: Implants provide a function very close to natural teeth. This allows daily activities such as chewing and speaking to be performed more comfortably.
- Increases Implant Success: Insufficient bone structure can lead to failure of implant treatment. This procedure increases the success of the treatment by ensuring that the implant is placed more firmly.
Who is a Sinus Lift Suitable for?
It is generally suitable for people who do not have enough bone density in the upper jaw for dental implants. Such patients may have bone loss in the floor of the sinus cavity. In addition, candidates who are suitable for a sinus lift procedure generally must have the following characteristics:
- Have adequate general health,
- Do not smoke or minimize the risks associated with smoking,
- Have advanced bone loss but have enough bone tissue to be treated with bone grafts,
- Have sufficient gum health to benefit from implant treatment.
Recovery Process After Sinus Lift
After surgery, patients can generally return to their daily lives within a few days. However, the recovery process may vary from person to person. Here are some points to consider during the recovery process:
- Pain and Swelling: There may be mild pain and swelling after surgery. This will subside within a few days.
- Medication Use: Painkillers and antibiotics recommended by the doctor should be used.
- Oral Hygiene: Oral hygiene should be taken care of during the recovery process. You should be careful when brushing your teeth and gargle as recommended by the doctor.
