29 Jul What Is Sinus Lift? Why do you need it?
Have you ever experienced a tooth loss, and it stresses you out because of how uncomfortable you feel chewing?
Well, a simple way to fix that is by getting dental implants, of course.
However, in order for the dental implant surgery to be successful, you would have to have enough bone mass to carry out the procedure.
If you do not have sufficient bone mass, you might be required first to undergo a sinus lift surgery.
Why Get a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation is a surgical procedure to increase bone mass in your upper jaw by placing a bone graft in your premolar and molar teeth area.
Why would I need a sinus lift?
Usually, when we have a missing tooth, it is possible that we lose the surrounding bones of the tooth, or the general thickness of the underlying bone is diminished.
This loss in bone volume will cause difficulty if you want to replace missing teeth.
To replace the missing tooth, we need a sufficient amount of bone mass for bone integration to support dental implants.
Sinus lift surgery is a procedure conducted by oral surgeons that elevates the sinus floor to enable bone grafting into your upper jaw bones, so there is more bone volume to support the dental implant.
What Causes Bone Loss?
You might have insufficient bone mass in your upper jaw due to:
- birth defect like your distinct skull anatomy
- periodontal disease
- reabsorption of bone into the body after tooth loss
- cancer
Sinus Augmentation Procedure
Firstly, an X-ray or CT scan will typically be performed to access the bone structure of your upper jaw. This can determine the height and width of your existing bone and evaluate your sinus to see whether you are a candidate for surgery.
About 60 to 90 minutes will pass during the operation. A local anaesthetic will be used to totally numb the affected areas so that the only sensations you experience during the operation are pressure and vibrations.
Depending on your concerns and the agreed individualised treatment plan, you may also be put under prior IV sedation or general anaesthesia.
After that, your surgeon will make a cut in the gum tissue around your back teeth. The tissue will be lifted, making the jaw bone beneath visible.
A tiny circle will be carved out of the bone by your surgeon. A bone graft or new bone is used to fill the hole left by the bony piece after it has been lifted into the sinus cavity space. Stitches will be used by your surgeon to seal the wound and promote healing.
What bone graft material is used?
One of the following sources can provide you with bone graft materials:
- autogenous bone or bone from one’s own body (either from another part of your mouth or another bone, usually from the leg or hip area)
- another person (who, upon passing, donated bone tissue)
- cow bone
- synthetic substance, like hydroxyapatite.
What Are The Risks Involved?
You could have sinus membrane tears, nasal penetration, haemorrhage, fractures, or damage to the teeth in the surrounding area. Smokers are at a higher risk because cigarette smoke thins the maxillary sinus membrane.
The sinus tear can be repaired with stitching, or it can be covered with a patch. You might need some recovery time if the sinus membrane repair is unsuccessful before continuing the procedure.
Post Sinus Lift Surgery
The American Academy of Periodontology states that it may take your jawbone 4 to 12 months to recover and develop before dental implants are inserted. When you undergo sinus lift surgery, a doctor might, on occasion, decide to insert the dental implants straight away.
Typically, you won’t require another sinus lift surgery after a successful one. The Schneiderian membrane may be an exception, in which case your doctor may advise waiting until the membrane has healed before repeating the sinus lift.
Sinus Augmentation Cost
It’s important to take note of how much a sinus lift procedure can cost in Singapore. Since it is a surgical procedure, there are other price variables that you need to take into account, including:
- Consultation with an estimated fee of $80-$200
- X-ray, which costs around $160
- CT scan ranging between $350 and $600
- Sinus lift surgery which costs above $2000
Wondering if a sinus lift is necessary for you?
How Vivid Dental Surgeons Can Help You
Now that you know what a sinus augmentation is, it is important to consult a medical professional to determine whether you are required to have one.
Our team of doctors are here to help you stay informed and conduct in-depth consultations before you make any decision to ensure your surgery has a high success rate.
Contact us today at +65 6227 7708 to book your consultation now!