A sinus lift surgery may be required if your sinuses press against the upper row of your teeth or your teeth hang too low. When you need or want to get implants to replace your missing teeth, you need a proper base on which to fit them. You may need additional bone grafted to improve the depth of the base for tooth implants as well. A sinus lift procedure can solve many of the implant issues you may be facing or will face. Talk to your family dentist about sinus lift problems; the benefits of a sinus lift far outweigh the risks, which are negligible.
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Sinus lift
Dental implants have quickly become a new standard in tooth replacement care. While most implant replacements need little prep work, those who want to replace molars along the sides of the upper jaw sometimes need some foundational improvements. Additional bone may be required to make an ideal implant attachment.
Sinus lift surgery lifts your sinus membrane and inserts bone graft material to enhance insufficient bone in your upper jaw. The sinuses located under your eyes and above your teeth represent the largest sinuses. The addition of bone graft material between your jaw bone and these maxillary sinuses is also called sinus augmentation.
Sinus Lift Procedure
After taking a thorough medical history, including information about any medications you’re taking, our dentist in NYC reviews your x-rays or CAT scans (a 3D bone scan image) to pinpoint the exact location of your sinuses, the membrane and the area for the bone graft. You can expect:
- Local anesthetic to numb the area. You can request a mild sedative for comfort, but it’s not always required.
- An incision in the gum tissue on the cheek side of your upper jaw. Your dentist folds your gum flap back to expose your jawbone.
- A careful cut along the exposed bone. This creates a hinged area or “trap door” of bone that your dentist pushes gently upward, raising the sinus floor.
- Packing the empty space with new bone. After your dentist places a collagen membrane between the sinus membrane and the empty space to protect your sinuses, the new bone or bone graft is put in place.
- Stitching the gum tissue back down. Once the bone graft is in place, the stitches protect the grafting material as it adheres to your natural bone.
- Autogenous bone or your own bone taken from your hip, shin or another location inside your mouth
- Freeze-dried bone from cadavers (allogenic bone) or from bovines sourced from tissue banks
- Synthetically derived bone morphogenetic protein called hydroxyapatite
Aftercare for a Sinus Lift Procedure
It’s normal to have a sense of fullness or tightness in the area of the bone graft. Proper oral hygiene and following your Brooklyn dentist’s instructions promotes the most successful healing. Aftercare instructions often include:
- Avoid alcohol and smoking as both can compromise healing.
- Don’t blow your nose for four weeks after sinus lift surgery as it can cause the bone graft material to shift.
- Alternate ice placement and rest for 20 to 30 minutes on and 20 to30 minutes off for the first 48 hours.
- Avoid excessive activity for three to four days.
- Follow a soft food diet with plenty of fluids for at least 72 hours.
- Take pain medicines, antibiotics and decongestants as prescribed.
- Don’t spit or rinse for 72 hours.
- Don’t drink with a straw until healed.
- Don’t consume carbonated beverages for at least three days.
Sinus Lift Problems
The risk for sinus lift problems is very low, especially with your experienced Broadway Family Dental specialist. Issues occasionally arise, including:
- Bruises or hematomas may appear under your eyes, especially for fair-skinned individuals. These usually resolve within two weeks.
- Sinus perforation into the sinus membrane during the procedure is a possibility. This can be an entryway for bacteria and infection, so your dentist may patch or close the perforation with stitches and wait to continue the sinus lift procedure.
- Displacement of bone graft material may occur if you sneeze or blow your nose. Decongestants and avoiding allergy-producing substances during healing help minimize this concern.
- Infections are among the most common sinus lift problems, but following these instructions reduce the risk of infection.
- Complications rarely occur, but it’s possible your natural bone and the graft material don’t integrate properly, possibly due to insufficient blood supply.
- Wound drainage is often resolved with irrigation techniques and antibiotics.
Any sinus lift problems involving noticeable swelling or increasing pain, fever, bone material shifting or constant, bright red bleeding should be immediately reported to your Brooklyn professional. A sinus lift provides many with the option of dental implants. The success rate for dental implants increases with sufficient bone supply and your Broadway Family Dental team helps to maintain your highest quality dental health, contributing to an overall healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Ella Dekhtyar is an ABGD-certified cosmetic and family dentist who strives to provide the best and most appropriate dental care using the latest cutting-edge technology and treatment. Dr. Dekhtyar has more than 20 years of experience creating beautiful and healthy smiles, backed by receiving multiple awards, including America’s Best Dentist and New York Magazine Best Dentists in 2010 & 2012, and her collaboration with prominent media outlets.
Recognized as one of the most highly regarded dentists in the Bushwick and Bedford-Stuyvesant community, Dr. Dekhtyar operates in several languages, including English, Spanish, as well as Russian, and provides highly praised aesthetic and functional results in a welcoming and relaxing environment.
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