Before receiving your dental implant, have you been told you need a sinus lift, sinus augmentation, or sinus bump procedure before receiving your dental implant? This procedure involves lifting the sinus membrane and adding bone to the new space to ensure a solid foundation for the future implant. This revolutionary procedure gives hope to patients to receive dental implants which were not candidates before.
Why Do I Need a Sinus Lift?
There are vacant air spaces above your upper teeth called the maxillary sinuses. In some cases, the roots of your teeth can protrude into these spaces. These sinuses are often shallow walls of bone after the tooth has been extracted. Dental implants need quality and a quantitative amount of support from the bone to be functional. This is why a sinus augmentation is imperative to raise the sinus floor to grow new bone for the implant to have proper anchorage.
Sinus Lift Surgery Specialist
A sinus lift surgery is critical to ensure the longevity of your dental implant; that is why it is essential to make sure you choose the right surgeon. This type of surgery can be performed under sedation or local anesthetic, depending on the patient’s comfort level. There are two different sinus lift procedures, a sinus bump or a lateral window lift.
During a sinus bump surgery, your surgeon will first make a slight incision in the gums to access the sinus floor. Once the sinus is visible, your surgeon will begin to elevate the sinus membrane higher until the necessary height is reached.
During a lateral window lift, the surgeon will make a slight incision in the side of the lateral osseous wall to access the inferior zygoma bone. This bone will then be shaved down with a special carbide bur to reveal the sinus membrane. This membrane will then be elevated from the floor as well as the lateral and medial walls to create room for the bone.
Similarly, after each different sinus lift, the space is filled with bone grafting material to create a solid foundation for your future dental implant. A small membrane will then be added to the top of the bone grafting material to ensure a tight seal, and the surgeon will then suture the area closed. The treatment site will need to heal for at least 4-6 months before placing your implant to ensure proper bone growth.
Although any procedure can have complications, a sinus lift procedure has relatively low treatment risks. The most significant difficulty associated with sinus lifts can be a tear in the sinus membrane during elevation, increasing the chance for a sinus infection and decreasing the risk for successful implant surgery. This procedure is technique sensitive, so ensuring you choose the right surgeon is imperative to the success of the surgery. The recovery process after this surgery is essential to ensure success as well.
Sinus Lift Recovery
Do NOT blow your nose after treatment for any reason for at least four weeks; however, you may pat your nose dry. If you have to sneeze, try your best to let it come out naturally and do not hold it in. Any sort of disruption is not ideal for a successful recovery.
Diet
Eating a soft diet, not using a straw, or drinking carbonated liquids for the first week is vital for healing. Do not eat on the treatment site during the 4–6-month healing period is also necessary.
DO NOT SMOKE. SMOKING CAN CAUSE THIS PROCEDURE TO FAIL.
Hygiene
Do not brush your teeth, use mouthwash, or floss your teeth for at least 24 hours after treatment. Regular hygiene maintenance can be continued after this time, but ensure you avoid disrupting the treatment area by brushing or flossing the site. Warm salt water rinses twice a day are essential to promote healing. However, when swishing and spitting, be gentle not to disturb the area too much. Bleeding should be minimum, but damp gauze and firm pressure for 30 minutes should alleviate the bleeding.
For swelling, ice packs can be applied to the area, as well as sleeping with your head elevated; taking your antibiotics as prescribed is necessary to avoid any postoperative infections. Pain medication can be taken as needed for any discomfort. Also, avoid any excessive activity for the next 3-5 days following treatment.
If you have been told you need a sinus lift in the Washington, DC area, or told you don’t qualify for implants due to your sinuses, schedule a consultation with our team at District Perio now. Learn more about treatments and procedures while you journey to a new smile with us today!
