When considering dental implants, there are a variety of circumstances to consider. One of these is the potential need for a sinus lift before the dental implant procedure. The success of your implant is heavily dependent on the quantity and quality of bone in the area where the implant will be placed. If you do not have enough bone mass in your upper jawbone (maxilla) for a successful dental implant procedure, a sinus lift may be necessary. This procedure ensures that there is adequate room in your jawbone for the implant placement.
What is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is essentially a type of bone graft where a small piece of bone is attached to the upper jaw. The bone used for the procedure can come from:
- Your own bone
- Bone from a human cadaver (most common)
- Synthetic bone
To attach the bone to your jaw and encourage growth, the gums are exposed, and the sinus membrane is carefully pushed aside. The new bone material is then placed at the bottom of the sinus cavity. Once the procedure is complete, the surgical site is stitched.
The surgical site will need time to heal, and the new bone will need time to fuse with the existing bone. Healing times vary between patients and can take several months. Once the grafted bone has fully attached, the dental implant procedure can proceed.