All You Need To Know About Sinus Lifts Surgery

If you desire dental implants but don’t have sufficient jawbone to secure the implant, your dentist might recommend a procedure called sinus lift surgery to increase bone in the area. Another name for this procedure is sinus graft. Medical specialists such as oral surgeons and periodontists perform sinus lift surgeries if you need the process. If you are a resident of Austin, Texas, and need dental implants to replace missing teeth but are encountering problems with your jawbone, you can approach sinus lifts in Austin, TX, to prepare yourself to receive dental implants after the procedure.

Different techniques help the dentist near me when performing sinus lifts. Would you please continue reading other essential information you must have if recommended this procedure by the dentist near you?

Why Are Sinus Lifts Essential?

A sinus lift refers to increasing or lifting your maxillary sinus to make more space for new bone. Your maxillary sinuses are air-filled cavities located above the posterior portion of the upper jaw or maxilla. Lifting the sinus to graft bone in between enables your dentist to place dental implants that you need.

If you lack sufficient upper jawbone anchoring the dental implants correctly or demanding tasks like chewing from the placement becomes challenging. The dental implant doesn’t secure correctly without sufficient jawbone and can fail. You may have experienced jawbone loss for reasons like congenital disabilities, cancer, periodontal disease, or natural variation where your jawbone is thin, or your sinus cavities are too large.

Your jawbone is prone to resorption after tooth loss and begins to get thinner over time. The foundation for oral rehabilitation states dentists recommends sinus lift surgery if they notice the bone height in the posterior region of your jaw is below four to six mm.

Preparing for Sinus Lift Surgery

Getting dental implants to replace missing teeth involves a multi-step process. Sinus lifts and bone grafting are initial processes before placing the dental implant. The dental implant process proceeds in the manner detailed below.

During your initial consultation with the dentist in Austin, TX, you can discuss your goals for dental implants with the dentist. After that, the dentist examines your teeth, mouth, and gums. You will also undergo imaging studies to identify jawbone health and various crucial structures in the skull. If necessary, the dentist recommends sinus lift surgery to help secure the implant. Finally, your dentist places the dental implant holder called an abutment and inserts the dental implant in your jaw.

The time required for this procedure depends on your overall oral health. Dental implant placement is an expensive procedure. Therefore you must take all the time needed to ensure the best results.

The Sinus Lift Procedure

The Austin dentist utilizes different approaches when performing sinus lift surgery in South Austin. The best method will depend on how much bone exists in your jaw, the type of bone graft the dentist uses, and the approach for dental implant placement later.

Some typical steps when performing sinus lift surgery include the following:

• You receive oral or intravenous anesthesia, or the dentist may numb the area with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
• The dentist identifies and makes incisions in the back portion of the gum tissue to expose the bone.
• A small portion of the bone is cut by the dentist exercising caution to avoid sinus membranes.
• The cut portion of the bone is lifted up into the sinus cavity to raise the membrane.
• The dentist applies the bone materials to the exposed area. The dentist may take the bone from another part of your body or use synthetic bone.
• After applying the bone grafting materials, the dentist sutures the area to close the incisions in your gums.
• After undergoing the procedure, the dentist gives you after-care instructions to help guide your recovery.

Recovering from Sinus Lift Surgery

Bleeding and swelling are common side effects of sinus lift surgeries. However, the discomfort remains with you for a few days allowing you to return to your regular activities as directed by your dentist. The most familiar complication of this procedure is the perforation of the Schneiderian membrane lining the maxillary sinus cavity. The perforation enhances the risk of chronic sinusitis and sinus infections. If the complication occurs during the surgery, your dentist will try to repair the membrane or stop the surgery and provide recovery instructions to take antibiotics to prevent infections, avoid blowing your nose, brush for some time, and take painkillers to relieve discomfort.

What to Expect After Sinus Lift Surgery?

You require between four to 12 weeks to recover from this procedure before dental implant placements. However, there are instances when the dentist completes dental implant placement immediately after sinus lift surgery. After undergoing successful sinus lift surgery, you don’t need the procedure again unless your dentist has perforated the Schneiderian membrane during the operation and suggests allowing time for healing the membrane before repeating the process all over again.