A sinus augmentation is a surgical procedure. It adds bone to your upper jaw in the area of your molars and premolars.
Your dentist performs this procedure when you do not have sufficient bone height to support dental implants. Sinus augmentation helps to support by providing enough bone height.
This lack of bone height can appear because of reasons such as bone loss or physical limitations. However, we have an answer for you.
Here are the key points of the article:
- Two methods of sinus augmentation exist, namely direct and indirect.
- It depends on the existing bone structure if you need a sinus lift or not.
- Complete healing time takes between 4-6 months.
- Sinus augmentation surgery is done with local anesthesia.
- In 1-2 weeks, any swelling should have subsided.
- The success rate of sinus augmentation is 97%.
- The procedure does not change the appearance of the face.
What Is A Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that involves adding bone to the upper jaw, specifically in the regions near the premolars and molars.
There are maxillary sinuses on either side of your nose. The bone is added between your jaw and the maxillary sinus lift during the procedure. While making room for the bone, your dentist has to move the sinus membrane upward, or lifted.
What Are the Techniques of Sinus Lift?
There exist two primary kinds of sinus lift procedures: direct and indirect.
Let’s learn more about two different techniques of sinus augmentation.
Direct Sinus Lift
The procedure includes making an incision in the gum tissue to expose the bone by the dentist.
The surgeon creates a lateral window on the side of the sinus wall and carefully lifts the sinus membrane. Next, the team places bone graft material into the cavity and then sutures the gum tissue closed.
The bone graft material may include autogenous bone (taken from the patient’s own body), allogenic bone (from a donor), or xenograft (from another species).
This approach is preferred when the existing bone height is less than 5 mm and a substantial amount of bone needs to be added.
Indirect Sinus Lift
Indirect sinus augmentation, also known as internal sinus augmentation, includes making a small incision in the gum tissue.
Next, the surgeon uses osteotomes, which are specialized instruments, to access the sinus floor through the crestal approach.
The osteotomes are tapped to lift the sinus membrane, and bone graft material is then placed through the crestal approach. An implant can be inserted.
This technique is used when there is more than 5 mm of existing bone height and only a small amount of additional bone is needed.
Is Sinus Lift Always Necessary?
A sinus augmentation is not always necessary.
This procedure is generally recommended for patients who lack sufficient bone in the upper jaw to support dental implants.
Your dentist will assess whether you need this procedure based on your individual situation.
Can You Get Implants Without A Sinus Lift?
If you have enough natural bone to support the implants, you can receive dental implants without a sinus augmentation. Of course, your dentist will assess your bone structure to decide this.
A dental implant sinus lift can be beneficial for holding strong implants.
Is There An Alternative to Sinus Lift?
Alternatives to sinus lift augmentation include procedures that do not involve the removal of the sinus membrane. These include:
Short Implants: These implants can eliminate the need for sinus augmentation by utilizing the existing bone height.
Angulated Implants: These implants are placed into existing bone without increasing the amount of bone in the sinus area.
Zygomatic Implants: These implants placed in the cheekbone (zygomatic bone) can be an alternative to sinus augmentation surgery.
Subperiosteal Implants: These implants are implants placed on top of the jawbone and screwed into the bone.
How Long Is the Recovery from A Sinus Lift?
Sinus lift recovery time typically requires about 1-2 weeks for initial healing. There are also complete healing and integration phases in the bone graft. These two can take between 4-6 months.
It is important to note that you should follow your dentist’s instructions for a quick and easy post-operative recovery.
Is A Sinus Lift Painful?
The sinus augmentation procedure is not painful because your dentist will apply local anesthesia. You may feel discomfort during the procedure but it is not painful.
Discomfort after the lateral sinus augmentation and swelling are also normal. Your dentist will prescribe medications in case you feel pain after the procedure.
How Long Will My Face Be Swollen After A Sinus Lift?
Swelling after a sinus augmentation can happen, and it is quite normal. It appears in the first 48-72 hours and subsides over the following week.
There should be no swelling after 1-2 weeks.
How Do I Know If My Sinus Lift Is Failing?
There are some signs of a failing sinus lift. When these happen, this means you have symptoms of failed sinus lift:
- Persistent Pain
- Swelling
- Infection
- Lack of Bone Integration
What Is the Failure Rate?
According to a study in the Journal of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, the failure rate for sinus lifts is 4.2%, while the success rate for sinus augmentation procedures is 97%.
It means that a failed sinus augmentation is a rare occurrence.
What Are the Pros and Cons of A Sinus Lift?
There are some pros and cons of Sinus Augmentation.
You can predict what may wait for you after the surgery by reading it.
Pros
- Improved Bone Volume
- Preventing Bone Loss
- Restores Chewing Function
- Improved Appearance
- Durable Solution
Cons
- Potential risk of sinus membrane perforation
- Post-surgical Discomfort
- Extended Healing Time
- Multiple Appointments
Can A Sinus Lift Cause Problems?
Problems because of a sinus lift are rare but it is not impossible.
Some sinus lift long-term side effects can happen due to sinus augmentation surgery. Let’s see all of them:
Sinus Infection: It includes opening up the sinuses, there is a risk of sinus infection.
Sinus Inflammation: The sinus membrane can be inflamed after a sinus lift.
Failure of Dental Implant: If sinus lift fails to integrate with the surrounding bone, implant failure can happen.
Bone Loss: The grafted bone material in a sinus lift procedure can decay and it leads to bone loss.
Sinus Membrane Perforation: The formation of a hole in the sinus cavity can happen after the procedure.
Does the Procedure Change Facial Appearance?
No, a sinus augmentation does not dramatically change your facial appearance.
The procedure is done inside the mouth. So, it affects the bone structure of the upper jaw and it is not about the external appearance. Sinus augmentation is more about the internal structure.
Can You Breathe Better After the Procedure?
A sinus augmentation is not about improving breathing. It primarily focuses on providing sufficient bone structure for dental implants.
On the other hand, a sinus lift can clear congestion and it may improve breathing. However, it is not a primary outcome of the procedure.
What Not to Do After the Operation
Following some post-operative instructions for easy and quick healing time is important.
If you want to experience smooth healing and don’t want to see a symptom of a failed sinus lift, you should avoid these:
- Avoid blowing your nose
- Avoid sneezing with your mouth closed
- Avoid engaging in strenuous activities
- Avoid drinking with straws
- Avoid smoking
How Much Does A Sinus Lift Cost?
The price of a sinus augmentation can change based on the location, clinic, dentist’s expertise, and procedure complexity.
Let’s see the differences between the countries.
|
COUNTRY
|
Turkey
|
US
|
UK
|
Germany
|
France
|
Australia
|
South Korea
|
Canada
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PRICE
|
€700 - €1,750
|
€1,350 - €4,500
|
€1,400 - €3,500
|
€1,500 - €3,500
|
€1,200 - €3,000
|
€1,200 - €2,400
|
€1,050 - €2,450
|
€1,800 - €3,600
|
|
COUNTRY
|
PRICE
|
|---|---|
|
Turkey
|
€700 - €1,750
|
|
United States
|
€1,350 - €4,500
|
|
United Kingdom
|
€1,400 - €3,500
|
|
Germany
|
€1,500 - €3,500
|
|
France
|
€1,200 - €3,000
|
|
Australia
|
€1,200 - €2,400
|
|
South Korea
|
€1,050 - €2,450
|
|
Canada
|
€1,800 - €3,600
|
With the pluses and minuses, getting a sinus lift abroad might be a logical choice for you. Especially if you’re looking for more affordable prices with the best quality. Turkey makes this choice possible.
If you are about to get dental implants, and in need of a sinus lift, Turkey could be your number one destination.
By having a number of professional oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Dentfix is a wonderful clinic to consider dental implants.
References:
1- Alshamrani AM, Mubarki M, Alsager AS, Alsharif HK, AlHumaidan SA, Al-Omar A. Maxillary Sinus Lift Procedures: An Overview of Current Techniques, Presurgical Evaluation, and Complications. Cureus. 2023 Nov 28;15(11):e49553. doi: 10.7759/cureus.49553. PMID: 38156177; PMCID: PMC10753870. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10753870/
2- Molina A, Sanz-Sánchez I, Sanz-Martín I, Ortiz-Vigón A, Sanz M. Complications in sinus lifting procedures: Classification and management. Periodontol 2000. 2022 Feb;88(1):103-115. doi: 10.1111/prd.12414. PMID: 35103321. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35103321/
3- Stern A, Green J. Sinus lift procedures: an overview of current techniques. Dent Clin North Am. 2012 Jan;56(1):219-33, x. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2011.09.003. PMID: 22117952. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22117952/
4- Rosa A, Ranieri N, Miranda M, Mehta V, Fiorillo L, Cervino G. Mini Crestal Sinus Lift With Bone Grafting and Simultaneous Insertion of Implants in Severe Maxillary Conditions as an Alternative to Lateral Sinus Lift: Multicase Study Report of Different Techniques. J Craniofac Surg. 2024 Jan-Feb 01;35(1):203-207. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000009834. Epub 2023 Nov 21. PMID: 37988038. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37988038/
5- Lyu M, Xu D, Zhang X, Yuan Q. Maxillary sinus floor augmentation: a review of current evidence on anatomical factors and a decision tree. Int J Oral Sci. 2023 Sep 15;15(1):41. doi: 10.1038/s41368-023-00248-x. PMID: 37714889; PMCID: PMC10504247. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37714889/
