Sinus Lifting

Definition: a surgical procedure meant to add bone to the upper jaw (posterior maxilla) in the area of premolar and molar teeth, by lifting the sinus membrane and placing a bone graft. The procedure is usually done prior to dental implants, to the patients that don’t have enough bone height in the upper jaw, or the sinuses are too close to the jaw to place the implant.

Patients that need a sinus lift are those that lost one or more teeth in the upper jaw and left the problem unsolved. This leads to the resorption of the bone and deficiency of bone tissues, which require an implant to be placed. 

How does it work?

After numbing the area, the surgeon will make an incision on the gum tissue (in the area that needs the implant), flapping it back, therefore exposing the bone underneath. The next incision is made on the bone in an oval cut, exposing the sinus membrane, which is then pushed gently up and away from the jaw. The space that remains between the sinus membrane and the jaw is filled with granules of bone graft material, which can be:

• autogenous - from your body 
• allogeneic - from a cadaver
• xenograft - from a cow bone
• hydroxyapatite - a synthetically derived graft material

Once the bone is in place, stitches are applied to close the tissue. The implant is placed after 4-9 months and the bone graft is integrated into the jawbone.  

What are the risks?

• Puncturing or damaging the sinus membrane
• Infection
• Sinusitis 
• Graft failure
• Nose bleeding 

How to prepare for the procedure?

You will need panoramic X-rays taken of your upper jaw and sinuses before the procedure. In some cases, the doctor can indicate a CT scan to measure the sinus height and width and to exclude any sinus disease.
If the bone graft used in the procedure needs to be taken from your own body, you will first undergo surgery to extract it. It is usually taken from other areas of your mouth, your hip, or your tibia.

How long does the procedure take?

If no complications occur, the procedure takes about an hour. 

How to recover after the procedure?

• You need to take 3 to 10 days off, which will be spent mostly in bed
• Apply ice in the area of the surgery
• Avoid heavy exercise
• Blowing the nose for the next four weeks is contraindicated
• Avoid eating solid food, hot /cold drinks for a couple of days after the procedure
• Avoid rinsing /spitting for the next three days
• Avoid brushing the teeth next to the surgery area for 3-5 days
• Avoid drinking through a straw
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol

Interested in a sinus lift procedure? Check out our comprehensive guide on Cosmetic Surgery which covers a range of procedures, including sinus lifting.

You can also take a look at Plastic Surgery In Turkey Price Comparison for more context on similar procedures and pricing in the region.