Do you want a dental implant and have been told you need a sinus lift? Don’t worry!
What’s a sinus lift and should you be worried?
Whilst a sinus lift may seem unnecessary or an annoying additional step to receive your implant treatment, it is likely that you do not have enough bone to ensure your implants will be a success.
If you are concerned about the opinion you have received, you can always schedule a consultation with us here at Gentle Dental; an implant clinic that can work magic. We will be able to advise you of the correct pre-implant procedures if in fact you truly need them.
Patients often ask:
In some instances, the implant can be positioned into place while the sinus is augmented. Undergoing this kind of surgery has been proven to increase the chance of your implants being successful significantly. Implants can fail, and they are likely to with an insufficient amount of bone. A sinus lift, in this case, increases the amount of bone in the upper jaw by adding space between molars and premolars.
Reported back to us by our patients, and in our own experience, we have found sinus lift surgery to cause minimal discomfort.
The most common are swelling and bleeding. However, this usually does not extend more than a few days. The doctor gives the go-ahead for regular activities to recommence within this time.
In some cases, where teeth have been missing for a substantial amount of time (bone can begin to deplete in as little as just six months), the answer is yes. Those who have a sufficient amount of bone to support the implant can avoid this. However, dental implants will not be possible for those without an adequate amount of bone.
Why you may need a sinus lift
- In cases of periodontal gum disease
- When teeth have been lost in the upper jaw
- Reabsorption of bone after tooth loss
- Not enough bone in your jaw or sinuses
To explain simply, a sinus lift is an augmentation or the process of lifting up the maxillary sinus to make room for new bone.
Your sinus is an air-filled cavity that is located in the back portion of the upper jaw. Lifting the sinus and grafting the bone in between means that there is an appropriate amount of bone for your dentist or doctor to position the dental implant.
Without enough bone in the upper jaw, the implant will not be able to anchor securely and has a higher likelihood of failing, which after spending a considerable amount of money on reconstructive dentistry.
Quick contact
Preparation for the dental implant process
Getting one or more implants can be a multistep process, which is made simpler with pre-implant treatments like sinus lifts and bone grafts.
The process is as follows:
- Consultation: Review your individual condition and the state of your oral health to determine whether you qualify for implant dentistry using x-rays.
- Examination: The dentist here will be able to outline your current possibilities as well as identifying how your oral condition can be improved to receive this treatment. You can expect imaging studies and X-rays to identify your jawbone health as well as other key structures.
- Surgery: You will undergo sinus lift surgery if required to help secure your new implant for life.
- Placement: The abutment, which will hold your implant is placed. From here, a period of three months is recommended to allow the jaw to integrate with the post – this is called osseointegration.
- Attaching the crown: The implant crown will be placed.
The sinus lift procedure
There are several different approaches that exist for a sinus lift, which will depend on how much bone you currently have, the type of bone graft and their potential approach for the implant.
Basics include:
- A local anaesthetic will be used to keep you comfortable
- The dental surgeon will make incisions in your gum tissue to expose the bone
- They will then cut a small area of the bone into the sinus cavity, raising the membrane
- Next bone graft materials will be applied to the newly lifted area (this bone can be taken from other areas of your body or using synthetic bone)
- Sutures will be applied to close the incision
Implant costs
Implant cost FAQ
Whilst, initially dental implants may not appear to be affordable, they can be when comparing their durability against alternative reconstructive treatments.
Patients can save money on their dental implant treatment by combining implants with other procedures, for example, implant-retained dentures.
More than this, if patients are experiencing multiple tooth losses, we can only use four implants to replace teeth throughout the entire mouth.
Implant dentistry is not redeemable via the NHS. They are more likely to prescribe cheaper alternatives like dentures.
Whilst you will have to check with your particular provider, insurance typically does not cover the cost of dental implants. However, as dental implants are now more recognised for their durability, insurers are beginning to recognise their quality. More.
Patients can pay for their treatment interest-free for 24 months.
Please speak to one of our dental professionals about this permanent and natural-looking solution to missing teeth on 020 8224 7562.
After a sinus lift
Your dentist may give you:
- Saline spray
- A prescription
- Pain medication
- Antibiotics
- Antimicrobial mouthwash
Following the procedure, you will meet with us again to check and examine the surgical site and remove any stitches that have not dissolved. There may be a few periods where we check in with you, but that’s to ensure you’re healing correctly.
Get an interest-free loan in under 5 minutes
It only takes 2 minutes to apply and you’ll get an answer immediately – applying for a loan has never been easier. 0% finance is available for many treatments up to £30,000. Credit decisions will be subject to individual circumstances. You must be over 18 and earn an income to apply.
