Bone Grafting and Sinus Lifts

Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician.

The tiny air-filled holes called maxillary sinuses sit very close to our molar and premolar teeth. These sinuses tend to lower and expand into areas that were previously occupied by jaw bone and are now vacant. This usually happens when the bone is lost or recedes after trauma, tooth removal, advanced periodontitis, or when you have a little jawbone or large sinuses from birth. To make up for the lacking bone in the upper jaw, a sinus lift is carried out. 

Alternatively called sinus floor augmentation or sinus graft, this procedure is often needed to prepare a jaw for a dental implant. CT scans and general health evaluation is needed to see if you’re suitable for this kind of surgery as well as map out your upper jaw and sinuses. 

An incision in the numbed gum is made under local anesthesia (or IV sedation) and a temporary “window” is cut out in the bone to approach the sinus membrane. The membrane is then lifted to make room for the bone graft (it can either be sourced from the patient’s own tissue or made of synthetic material). Once the “pocket” is filled with grafting material, the specialist closes up the “window” in the gum. 

Following the sinus lift, patients may experience swelling and feel uncomfortable for several days. Once the bone is fused in its new position (4-9 months), implants can be placed. Sometimes they are installed right after the sinus lift but it always depends on the clinical situation. You can always turn to Dental World Marietta for consultation and sinus lift surgery provided by specially-trained dental clinicians.