Sinus lift is a surgical procedure which a dentist performs before implants are placed. It involves raising the upper jaw to make room for dental implants. This is necessary when there is not enough bone to anchor the implant securely. The sinus lift procedure raises the bone area under the maxillary sinus. Consequently the surgeon can place the implant firmly.
This treatment is popular especially in Turkey, for example at the Cosmedica Dental clinic. People from all over the world come there to receive dental treatment.
What is a sinus lift?
Specialists call a sinus lift also sinus floor elevation or sinus augmentation. Therefore, it is a surgical procedure in which the floor of the maxillary sinus in the upper jaw is raised to make enough room for dental implants.
In cases where there is not enough bone mass to replace missing teeth, this procedure is necessary. This reasons for that are natural loss of bone after tooth loss or individual anatomical conditions. In consequence, the thinner and flatter the upper jawbone becomes, the more important a sinus lift treatment is.
The maxillary sinuses consist of air-filled cavities. When teeth are lost in the upper jaw, the existing bone recedes over time. The lost teeth in the sinus cavity cause the remaining bone to become too thin to hold an implant securely. Simply put, there just isn’t enough bone graft material left.
When is a sinus lift necessary?
The dentist performs a sinus lift when:
- The bone in the area of the maxillary sinus is too thin or too weak to hold an implant.
- The maxillary sinus is too close to the implantation site after tooth loss.
- Multiple teeth in the upper jaw need to be replaced and additional bone mass is required.
- The bone height is too low in comparison to the rest of the teeth.
Types of sinus lift
- Closed (internal) sinus lift: This is a less invasive method. In fact, the specialists uses this type when only a small amount of bone grafting is necessary. This involves lifting the bone slightly to make room for the implant.
- Open (external) sinus lift: The dentist uses this method when there is more significant bone loss and is a more extensive operation. Open sinus lifting involves creating access from the side of the maxillary sinus. Consequently, this significantly increases the amount of the bone.
Sinus lift surgery at Cosmedica Dental
1. Preparation and planning
Before the actual procedure, the dentist or oral surgeon performs a comprehensive examination of the upper jaw. The dentist plans the treatment based on how much bone is present and how much additional bone mass is needed. Additionally, the doctor talks to the patient about the material that will be used for the bone buildup. This can be the patient’s own bone material, bone from donors, synthetic materials or animal bone substitutes.
2. Creating access to the maxillary sinus
On the day of the procedure, the dentist treats the patient usually under local anesthesia. For anxious patients or for larger procedures, the specialist also offers general anesthesia. The surgeon begins the procedure by making an incision in the gums. He then drills a small window into the jawbone. This opening creates access to the maxillary sinus.
3. Lifting the mucous membrane
In the next step, the dentist lifts the mucous membrane that lines the floor of the maxillary sinus. The specialists use special instruments not to damage the sensitive membrane area of the maxillary sinus. They push the mucous membrane upwards. This step creates an empty space into which the dentist can insert the bone structure.
4. Inserting the bone replacement material
The dentist now fills the space that has become free under the raised mucous membrane with bone replacement material. This material supports the natural bone structure and creates a solid base for the later dental implant.
5. Closing the procedure area
After the dentist filled in the material, he sews back the gums together. The specialist usually uses self-dissolving sutures. They dissolve on their own after a while.
6. Healing process
7. Implantation of the dental implants
Once the bone has completely healed and stabilized, the dentist can begin implanting the dental implants. The dental implants in Turkey are inserted into the bone, which is now sufficiently thick. After the dentist placed the implants, it takes a few weeks for it to bond with the bone.
The healing process after implantation is similar to that after a sinus lift. You will need to give the implants time to heal. In addition, once the implants are firmly anchored, they can serve as a base for dental replacements such as crowns or dentures.
Benefits of a sinus lift
- By building up the bone, the base for dental implants becomes more stable. This ensures better osseointegration, which increases the lifespan and strength of the implant.
- A sinus lift helps to restore the function of the jaw by lifting and stabilizing the bone. Therefore, the tension and pressure loads that automatically arise during chewing and grinding movements are retained.
- Bone augmentation allows dental implants to be placed in an optimal position, resulting in better aesthetics. The upper jaw regains its natural shape, improving the appearance of the face and mouth.
- Additionally, a sinus lift prevents further bone loss in the upper jaw. Without surgery, if the area is left unstressed, the bone could continue to deteriorate after tooth loss, weakening the jaw structure.
Conclusion
The sinus lift is a well-established procedure that is a prerequisite for dental implants in the upper jaw for many patients. At clinics like Cosmedica Dental, patients benefit from state-of-the-art technology, extensive experience and excellent value for money. This is why patients choose to increase their bone and get the dental treatment in Turkey.
In conclusion, if you are considering having a sinus lift, Cosmedica Dental in Istanbul could be an excellent choice!