Sinus Lift Surgery

WHO NEEDS A SINUS LIFT? 

A sinus lift is a common procedure for the maxilla (top jaw) that allows patients to benefit from dental implants, even after significant bone loss. Above the top jaw, there are air pockets. Once a tooth is removed, it is common for the bone to shrink and for these air pockets to grow in size. If the vertical height of the bone shrinks until is it less than the length of a dental implant, your implant surgeon will inform you that a sinus lift is required at the time of (or prior to) your implant placement.  

WHAT IS A SINUS LIFT? 

A sinus lift is a general term, that summarises a number of different procedures and techniques. To put it simply, a sinus augmentation may be performed through the hole that your implant surgeon makes at the time they place your implant (i.e. a transcrestal sinus lift). Alternative techniques for performing a sinus lift involve making a small bony window next to your sinus to allow a large bone graft to be placed in a very controlled manner (i.e. a lateral wall sinus approach). Our dentists in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast have specialised tools and instruments to perform both of these procedures for you. 

Transcrestal Sinus Lift/Augmentation 
When the remaining bone height is roughly half the length of your dental implant, it is possible for your implant surgeon to perform a transcrestal sinus lift. The benefit of a transcrestal sinus lift, is that your dental implant and bone graft can both be placed at the same time. 

Lateral Wall Sinus Lift/Augmentation
If there is only a small amount of bone remaining it may not be possible to place your dental implant straight away. Your maxillary sinus may need to be grafted first via a lateral wall approach. Once the bone graft matures (six to 12 months later) a new three-dimensional scan will be taken and your implant surgery can be planned.  

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SINUS LIFTS? 

Avenue Dental Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Bli Bli, North Lakes, Baringa, Sippy Downs, Tewantin, Murrumba Downs, Beerwah and Woolloongabba all offer free implant consultations. In these consultations, your implant surgeon will provide you with detailed information and instructions to follow before, during and after your sinus procedure.