What is Sinus Lifting?
In dentistry, a healthy and solid jawbone is one of the essential elements of successful implant treatment. However, for various reasons, the jawbone may become thinner and lose its volume over time, especially in the upper jaw area. This makes it difficult to place dental implants safely and stably. Especially long-term tooth loss, aging, periodontal diseases or genetic factors can cause thinning in the jaw bone. In such cases, the jawbone must be brought to sufficient thickness to perform implant treatment safely. At this point, a special surgical procedure called sinus lifting comes into play.
Sinus lifting is a procedure to provide the additional bone volume required to place dental implants in cases where there is insufficient bone volume in the upper jaw bone. This procedure is performed by lifting the jawbone into the sinus cavity and placing a bone graft into this space. Thus, a solid and thick bone layer is created in which implants can be placed. Sinus lifting procedure is a safe and effective method that is widely used in the treatment of tooth loss, especially in the upper jaw area.
Purpose of Sinus Lifting
Sinus lifting is a critical surgical procedure that comes into play when the height and thickness of the jawbone are insufficient, especially in patients who are planned to receive implant treatment in the upper jaw area. The main purpose of this procedure is to increase bone volume by elevating the sinus floor, thus providing the necessary bone support for safe and stable placement of implants.
After tooth loss, especially in tooth sockets that remain empty for a long time, the jawbone tends to thin and melt over time. This causes the bone to lose the thickness required for implant placement. This reduction of bone tissue not only makes implant treatment difficult, but also jeopardizes the longevity of the implants. In such cases, sinus lifting increases the chance of success of implant treatment by regaining sufficient thickness in the jawbone.
The sinus lifting procedure is performed in cases where the bone under the sinus cavity in the upper jaw is insufficient. During the procedure, the sinus floor is surgically slightly elevated and this space is filled with bone graft or artificial bone materials, usually taken from the patient’s own body. Thus, new bone tissue formation is encouraged and over time, this area becomes strong enough to support implants.
This surgical intervention is extremely important to ensure the long-term success of dental implants. Having sufficient bone volume in the area where the implants will be placed ensures that the implants are placed in the correct position and stably. Additionally, sufficient bone volume allows implants to integrate better with surrounding tissues, increasing the functionality and longevity of implants.
How is Sinus Lifting Done?
Sinus lifting is usually performed under local anesthesia, but in some cases sedation or general anesthesia may also be used. The steps of the process are as follows:
- Surgical Incision: The dentist reaches the sinus by making an incision in the upper jaw bone.
- Elevating the Sinus Floor: The sinus floor is carefully lifted up and a bone graft is placed in this space. This graft promotes natural bone formation and fuses with bone tissue over time.
- Healing Process: After the sinus lifting procedure, a period of 4-9 months is generally required for the bone tissue to fully heal and become suitable for implant placement.
- Implant Placement: Once bone healing is complete, dental implants are securely placed.
To whom is Sinus Lifting applied?
Sinus lifting is especially suitable for patients with insufficient bone thickness in the upper jaw area. In cases where bone volume decreases due to tooth loss, sinus lifting is necessary for the successful application of implant treatment. This process is generally recommended in the following situations:
- Situations where the upper jaw bone volume is not suitable for implant placement.
- Situations in which bone volume decreases over time due to tooth deficiencies.
- Conditions in which bone thickness becomes insufficient as a result of congenital or subsequent expansion of the sinuses.
Healing Process After Sinus Lifting Procedure
The recovery process after the lifting procedure may vary from person to person. Mild swelling and discomfort, which usually lasts for a few days, is considered normal. During this process, antibiotics and painkillers recommended by the dentist can be used. After the procedure, paying attention to oral hygiene and following the dentist’s instructions will accelerate the healing process.
Some points that patients should pay attention to during the recovery process are:
- Oral Hygiene: It is necessary to pay extra attention to oral hygiene after the procedure. A soft toothbrush and mouthwash recommended by the physician can be used.
- Diet: It is recommended to consume soft and cold foods for the first few days. Hot, hard or pungent foods should be avoided.
- Physical Activity: Heavy physical activities and bending should be avoided for the first few days. Keeping the head elevated may speed healing.
- Dentist Check-Up: Dentist check-ups should not be interrupted in order for the healing process to proceed in a healthy way.
Advantages of Sinus Lifting
Sinus lift is a procedure that increases the success of dental implant treatment. Some advantages of this procedure are:
- Implant Success Rate: Sinus lifting ensures that implants are stable and long-lasting. When sufficient bone volume is provided, the success of implants increases greatly.
- Natural Appearance: Implants provide aesthetic satisfaction as they are the closest alternative to natural teeth. Implants offer a natural appearance.
- Long-Term Solution: Implants can be used for a lifetime with proper care. Implant treatment offers a long-term solution.
