What is a Sinus Lift Surgery?
A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation, is a procedure that makes it easier to place dental implants. Some patients need dental implants but have suffered bone loss, thus not having sufficient bone support necessary for implants. You can get the support you need by having a sinus augmentation.
This procedure increases the amount of bone in the upper jaw that is required for dental implants. This is one of the most common bone grafting procedures for dental implant patients.
A sinus lift is usually done by a dental specialist like an oral maxillofacial surgeon or a periodontist.
About Iranian Surgery
Iranian surgery is an online medical tourism platform where you can find the best dental specialists in Iran. The price of a Sinus Lift Surgery in Iran can vary according to each individual’s case and will be determined based on photos and an in-person assessment with the doctor.
For more information about the cost of Sinus Lift Surgery in Iran and to schedule an appointment in advance, you can contact Iranian Surgery consultants via WhatsApp number 0098 901 929 0946. This service is completely free.
Before Sinus Lift Surgery
Why it’s done
A sinus lift refers to the augmentation or lifting up of the maxillary sinus to make more room for new bone.
The maxillary sinuses are air-filled cavities that are located just above the back portion of the maxilla or upper jaw. By lifting the sinus and grafting bone in between, there’s more bone for a doctor to place a dental implant.
If you don’t have enough upper jaw bone, the implant can’t properly anchor, and your new dental implant can’t perform some more demanding tasks, such as chewing.
Without enough bone, the dental implant won’t properly secure and can fail. Some of the reasons why you may have experienced bone loss in the jaw include:
. Birth defects
. Cancer
. Natural variation, where your sinus cavities are very large or jawbone very thin
. Periodontal disease
Also, bone in the jaw can be a use-it-or-lose-it prospect. If you have experienced tooth loss, your jawbone may start to get thinner over time.
Doctors will recommend sinus lift surgery if they determine you have less than 4 to 6 millimeters of bone height in the back portion of your jaw.
What happens before a Sinus Lift surgery?
The first step in any sinus lift surgery is determining where the bone used in the surgery will come from. The three most common types of bone used in sinus lift surgeries are:
. Bone from your own body (autogenous bone)
. Bone from a cadaver (allogenic bone)
. Bone from a cow (xenograft)
If the bone comes from your own body, it will be taken from other areas of your mouth or body. In some cases, the surgeon removes bone from the patient’s hip or tibia (the bone beneath the knee) to use in the procedure.
After the bone source is identified, you will need X-rays taken so the surgeon or dental specialist can study the anatomy of your jaw and sinus. Some people require a special type of CT scan that will allow the specialist to accurately measure the height and width of your existing bone and to evaluate your sinus.
Risks
What are the risks of a Sinus Lift?
As with any surgery or procedure, there is some risk in a sinus lift surgery. The main risk is that a sinus membrane could be punctured or torn. If this happens, the surgeon will either stitch the sinus tear or place a patch over it. If the repair to the sinus membrane is not successful, your surgeon might stop the procedure and give the whole time to heal before trying again.
Infection is also a risk, as with any surgical procedure. However, infections from a sinus lift are uncommon.
In rare cases, the existing bone does not integrate with the bone-graft material, which means that the grafted area does not develop a blood supply. If this happens, you might have to have the sinus lift procedure repeated.
There is also the possibility of acute maxillary sinusitis after a sinus lift, which presents as temporary inflammation of the membranes in your nose and sinuses. This condition makes it hard to drain mucus from your nose. Research shows that caution taken throughout the procedure helps to keep the sinuses open.
During Sinus Lift Surgery
During Procedure
How Is a Sinus Lift Surgery Done?
Now on to the main act. Here’s a general sequence of events you can expect to take place during your sinus lift surgery.
- Your surgeon will cut the gum tissue where your back teeth used to be.
- The tissue is raised, exposing the bone underneath.
- Your surgeon will cut a small circle in the bone.
- The bony piece is lifted into the sinus cavity space and the hole is filled with bone graft.
- Your surgeon will close the incision with sutures, and the healing begins!
Your implants will be placed 4-12 months after your sinus lift surgery. This gives the added bone time to mesh with your existing bone. The amount of time between the surgery and implants depends on how much bone was added.
After Sinus Lift Surgery
What happens after a Sinus Lift?
Patients are able to go home after they wake from the anesthesia. After the sinus lift procedure, most patients experience a little swelling and bleeding, but only minimal discomfort. The most important part of recovery is to keep the bone graft in place, so it’s important to avoid blowing your nose (or sneezing, if possible) either of these things could cause the bone-graft material to move and loosen the stitches.
When you go home, you will likely get a saline spray to keep your nose moist, a prescription to prevent congestion and swelling, a prescription for pain medicine, an antibiotic, and/or an antimicrobial mouthwash to help prevent infection. Most patients will be in bed with ice around the area for a day or so until they can resume normal activities.
You will have a follow-up appointment with the dental specialist 7-10 days after your surgery. During this appointment, the specialist will examine the surgical site and may remove any stitches that have not dissolved on their own. In some cases, patients are asked to return a few more times just to make sure the area is healing properly and to take necessary x-ray images.
A full recovery from a sinus lift takes a minimum of 6 months for the sinuses to heal and the bone to be strong enough to support dental implants. Although the process may seem slow, you are working towards results that will last a lifetime.
When should you call a professional after a Sinus Lift?
After a sinus lift, you should contact your surgeon if:
. Swelling or pain that worsens after 2 to 3 days
. Bleeding that worsens or remains steady after 2 to 3 days
. Bleeding is bright red and continuous. (Normal bleeding after a sinus lift should be slow and dark red, potentially with clots.)
. Discomfort or the sensation that the bone graft materials have moved out of place (this could occur after vigorous sneezing or blowing your nose)
. Infection signs, such as swelling, fever, or foul-smelling drainage from the surgical area
Getting a sinus lift can be daunting, but there’s no need to fear. Talk to your dental specialist about any questions or concerns you might have and they can give you any additional info you might need.
Sinus Lift Surgery Cost
How much does sinus lift surgery cost in Iran?
The cost of sinus lift surgery in Iran starts from $300.
Sources:
. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/implants/sinus-lift#
. https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/sinus-lift