What is a sinus lift and how it is useful for implantation

A sinus lift is a surgery that helps to build up bone for implant placement. This type of bone grafting differs in that it is performed only for the upper jaw. We will tell you about all the subtleties of the procedure and why it is necessary to increase the volume of bone.

Bone tissue - why is there less of it and why build it up?

Bone loss occurs for several reasons:

• When a tooth fell out a long time ago and you've been delaying implantation - the bone in that area is diminishing
• Most people have less bone volume as they age
• Natural structure - sometimes a person is born with thin bone.

Let's imagine a situation. You come to the dentist. You have a CT scan. The doctor looks at the image and sees a bone height of 5 mm.

Now let's imagine the implant itself - its length is about 10 mm, and we need to place it in the bone. Agree that a centimeter implant cannot fit into a bone that is half its size. This is the answer to the question - "why do we need bone grafting?".

How a sinus lift is performed

The name "sinus lift" is directly related to the nature of the procedure: it involves the paranasal sinuses, which are otherwise known as "sinuses". There are two variants of sinus-lifting surgery: closed and open.

Closed sinus lift is performed if you need to build up the bone just a little bit - up to 3 mm.

How does it work?

• The doctor prepares a bed for the implant
• Through the obtained hole, the doctor lifts the bottom of the maxillary sinus.
• The resulting space is filled with bone material.
• Then, as a rule, the implant is placed immediately.

Open sinus lift is a more serious intervention. The operation is relevant if it is necessary to restore a large volume of bone tissue - from 4 mm and above.

What is the difference between an open sinus lift?

• The doctor makes a hole in the lateral wall of the sinus
• The doctor then lifts the sinus membrane through the hole.
• The space is filled with bone material.
• The gum is sutured.

With an open sinus lift, the implant is not placed until 4-6 months later. Sometimes it is possible to place the implant immediately.

Contraindications to open and closed sinus lifts

Contraindications come in several types.
For example, absolute ones:

• Low blood clotting
• Autoimmune diseases
• Metabolic disorders
• Oncologic diseases
• Heart failure
• Mental illnesses

There are also relative contraindications, eliminating which, you can safely build up bone with the help of sinus lift:

• Gum disease and tooth decay
• Poor oral care
• Inflammatory processes in the sinus itself

Pros and cons of a sinus lift

What are the pros of a sinus lift? It is that this uniquely beneficial and technologically advanced operation allows for the smooth placement of an implant. And then restore your teeth with crowns.

Without a sinus lift, the supporting teeth would have to be ground down and a "bridge" would have to be placed. The operation gives you the opportunity to carefully compensate for a fairly large loss of bone in the jaw.

Of the disadvantages of sinus lift is usually noted the risk of inflammation in the sinus area. But there is a big "but", which should be remembered before you start to worry: all possible complications arise solely due to violations of standards during the operation. Therefore, it is worthwhile to approach the choice of doctor and dentistry responsibly.

In addition, like any surgery, sinus lift implies that after the procedure you need to follow some conditions for a speedy recovery:

• Refuse air travel
• Limit physical activity
• Do not blow your nose for 3-4 weeks
• Do not drink through a straw
• Sneeze and cough only with open mouth.

And most importantly, listen to, remember and follow your doctor's recommendations! Then everything will be fine.

What to choose - sinus lift or basal implantation?

This question arises because many people are tempted by the prospect of having an implant and doing without a sinus lift. Although basal implantation is one of the worst procedures. Yes, without additional surgery. Yes, in as little as two days you can safely chew on that "tooth". But in a few months the process of rejection can begin, the implant has to be removed (and sometimes it falls out on its own), inflammation has to be treated. And the operation cannot be performed again at this place!

Basal implantation has long since become obsolete, if even before it was useful in certain situations. 

Sinus lift surgery is a proven technique that meets modern European quality standards. The implantation process requires consistency and strict adherence to technology. In case of bone atrophy in the upper jaw, sinus lift surgery is an indispensable and extremely necessary step. It ensures reliable fixation of the implant.