Sinus Lifting

What Is Sinus Lifting?

Sinus lifting is a surgical procedure performed when the bone thickness needed to place an implant in the back of the upper jaw is not sufficient. The maxillary sinus floor is gently raised and bone graft material is placed in this area. The main aim of the procedure is to provide adequate bone height so the implant can be anchored securely.

After tooth loss in the back of the upper jaw, the bone tissue can gradually decrease over time. In addition, the maxillary sinus cavity in this region can be anatomically large in some people. For these reasons, some patients planning to have an implant need a sinus lifting procedure first.

Why Is Sinus Lifting Performed?

Sinus lifting is generally considered in the following situations:

• Insufficient bone thickness for placing an implant in the back of the upper jaw
• Bone tissue that has receded in areas where teeth have been missing for a long time
• A maxillary sinus cavity that is anatomically large

Whether the existing bone volume is sufficient can be determined with three-dimensional tomography imaging.

Assessment Before Sinus Lifting

The following points are examined before the procedure:

• Measuring bone thickness and sinus structure with three-dimensional imaging
• Whether there is an infection or inflammatory condition in the sinus area
• The patient’s general health and medication history
• Factors that could affect tissue healing, such as smoking

If there is an active infection in the sinus area, it needs to be treated before the procedure begins.

How Is Sinus Lifting Performed?

Two different techniques can be used, depending on the degree of bone deficiency.

Closed Technique (Crestal Approach)

When bone loss is limited, the sinus floor is carefully pushed upward with fine instruments while the implant socket is being prepared, and graft material is placed in the space created. This method is usually carried out in the same session as implant placement.

Open Technique (Lateral Window Approach)

When a more significant increase in bone height is needed, a small opening is made on the side surface of the jawbone, the sinus membrane is raised, and graft material is placed into the resulting space. With this method, the implant is placed in a separate session after the graft material has integrated with the bone.

Are Sinus Lifting and Implant Placement Done in the Same Session?

This depends on the existing bone height. If the bone thickness is sufficient to keep the implant stable from the start, sinus lifting and implant placement can be carried out in a single session. If bone thickness is limited, the graft material is first allowed to mature, and the implant is placed in a later session.

After Sinus Lifting

Some precautions are recommended after the procedure is completed:

• Avoiding forceful nose-blowing for a certain period
• Keeping the mouth open while sneezing
• Postponing activities involving pressure changes, such as air travel or diving, for a while
• Taking any medication prescribed by the dentist as directed and attending follow-up visits

Risks of Sinus Lifting and Points to Consider

As with any surgical procedure, sinus lifting can involve complications such as infection, tearing of the sinus membrane, or the graft material not integrating as expected. How often these occur depends on factors such as sinus structure, the patient’s general health and smoking. A careful assessment beforehand and regular follow-up visits help with early detection of any issues.

Conclusion

Sinus lifting is a planned, supportive surgical procedure that aims to create the bone volume needed for an implant in the back of the upper jaw. Whether the procedure is necessary, and which technique is used, are determined individually, based on imaging findings and the examination.