Sinus lift or sinus augmentation / enlargement, is an operation where we enlarge the upper jaw's bone substance in the territory of the molar and the premolar teeth. Usually the dental surgeon specialist performs this operation. Sinus lift operation became a general practice 15 years ago, because more and more people are choosing dental implantation.
When we use this method?
If there is not enough bone in the upper jaw, or the maxillary sinus is too close to the jaw where we need to insert the implants. This may have several reasons: After losing the upper teeth (large and small molar), there is not enough bone for a tooth implantation. The bone substance was reduced because of dental gum sickness. If we lose our teeth then the bone substance will disappear in time. If the teeth are not replaced for a long time, then there won't be enough bone for the implants.
The process
Before the sinus lift operation, an X-ray record is made which the doctor closely observes. Synthetic/artificial or natural originated bone-replacing materials are used for complementing the lack of bone. In the first step, the surgeon makes an incision in the gum, and then he or she inserts the bone-replacing material below the elevated sinus mucous membrane, above the bone. After this, the dental gum is stitched together. The implants can be inserted 4 to 9 months later.
The affected territory could swell and light bleeding may occur. Blowing the nose or sneezing is not permitted because the bone complementing material may move or the stitches may become loose. You will get painkillers, antibiotics and mouth wash from your doctor in order to prevent an infection. For most of the patients, the surgical procedure causes only a minor inconvenience, and discomfort. After 7-10 days the patient is recalled for a control and the doctor removes the stitches.
