Sinus lift
A sinus lift is a special type of oral surgery. Sinus lift is recommended when the patient’s bone structure is not suitable for the implantation of the implant, i.e. there is not enough bone under the molars.
In this case, the height of the bone mass is not sufficient for implantation, and therefore there is not enough space to insert the implants. When it comes to this, bone replacement is recommended.
What is a sinus lift?
Sinus lift is an intervention in which our oral surgeons increase the height of the upper jaw using a bone graft material. This may be necessary if the bone in the upper molars is not high enough to place implants.
It may happen that the missing tooth area around the premolars and molars has not been treated for a long time. This can easily lead to osteoporosis and atrophy, as a result of which the facial cavity descends. When implanting an implant, it is particularly important that the bone has the right height and condition, so that the sinus does not open during oral surgery. In order to avoid such complications, sinus lift surgery is now considered a routine intervention in the field of oral surgery.
We distinguish between two types: closed and open sinus lifts. There is no reason to worry, as the procedure is painless thanks to local anesthesia.
Closed sinus lift
This type of sinus lift is recommended in the case of a minor bone deficiency. A bone graft material is placed inside and in the passages of the facial cavity through the planned implant site. Over time, the bone graft material becomes incorporated as a hard, bone-like substance, ossified, into which implants can now be safely implanted.
Open sinus lift
This procedure is performed in case of a greater bone deficiency. It is a bit more complicated than a closed sinus lift, as the bone replacement is also larger. Our oral surgeons open the bone window on the outer side of the jawbone through the gums. This is where the bone graft material is inserted, until the desired height is reached. It is covered with a special membrane, which also helps healing.
Bone graft materials
- Artificial bone graft material
The name of the artificial graft material is alloplast. It is a synthetic, biocompatible material that mostly contains Hydroxyapatite, an essential ingredient of the tooth.
- Natural bone graft material
The natural bone replacement material contains bone tissue of animal origin that has been disinfected and enriched with appropriate minerals. Thanks to the added components, the material fits to the patient’s bone tissue and begins to grow in the hole until it finally fills it completely.
What to pay attention to after sinus lift?
As with all surgical procedures, recovery time must also be expected after a sinus lift. The treated area will be inflamed and swollen but it can be tolerable with pain relief. However, it is important to avoid blowing your nose and sneezing. These can displace the bone graft material or even tear open the wound. Bleeding from the oral cavity and nose may also occur in the days following oral surgery.
After the sinus lift, our oral surgeons will call you in for a check-up, where they will examine the affected area and check that everything is going on as planned.
The recovery period is half a year on average, after which the implant can be implanted.
Complication with the sinus
One problem that may arise is the opening of the sinus after a tooth extraction in the upper jaw. It needs to be treated immediately, even though it is not as dangerous as it seems at first sight.
This problem can be fixed with a few stitches. If you hear a whistling sound when you blow your nose or bubbles appear in the immediate vicinity of the wound, you should immediately consult a dentist. This also applies if any other suspicious or unpleasant symptoms appear.
Guidelines after oral surgery
We would kindly recommend you to take the following suggestions seriously after the operation:
- do not eat or rinse the affected area until the time specified by the oral surgeon
- do not remove the hematoma that forms on the wound surface by gargling or suctioning, as this will delay healing
- follow oral hygiene instructions. The operated area should be cleaned with a soft toothbrush, while the other teeth should be cleaned as usual.
- do not eat dairy products or food with small seeds for 2-3 days after surgery
- avoid extreme conditions, exertion, such as sports, saunas, thermal baths
- do not blow your nose too strongly and protect the area from physical impact (use a nasal spray if you have a cold or visit your doctor or pharmacist for further advice)
- it is recommended to cool the surgical area, lie on a high pillow, and not blow the nose in the case of an intervention involving the sinuses
- if the oral surgeon prescribes an antibiotic, it must be taken according to the prescription
- notify your dentist or oral surgeon of extreme bleeding, excessive pain, fever, or other unusual symptoms that occur after oral surgery and affect your general health
- we do not recommend driving a car immediately after oral surgery
- in addition to those listed here, it is necessary to follow the oral surgeon’s other instructions