Sinus Lifts

What is a Sinus Lift?

Sinuses are empty spaces in your skull, the largest of them being the maxillary sinuses in your cheekbones. A membrane lining separates each of these sinuses from your jaw.

A sinus lift, also known as a sinus augmentation, is part of a surgical procedure that adds bone to your upper jaw at the back of your mouth. The sinus membrane needs to be ‘lifted’ to allow room for the added bone.

A sinus lift is one of the most common bone grafting procedures carried out by oral & maxillofacial surgeons. 

Why Would You Need a Sinus Lift?

The back part of your upper jaw has less bone than your lower jaw, so if you lose your molars in your upper jaw there is probably not enough bone to place dental implants there. If you have been missing teeth in this area for some time, then the bone may have ‘resorbed’, or absorbed back into your body, and the bone loss further reduces the possibility of attaching implants.

Another reason you may need a sinus lift is that your maxillary sinus lies too close to your upper jaw to attach dental implants. The size and shape of the sinus varies from one person to another.

What is involved in the procedure?

Before your sinus lift surgery you may need a CT scan to allow Dr Zeb McNamara to assess the amount of existing bone and the health of your sinus.

The sinus lift may be conducted under local or general anaesthetic. The procedure begins with Dr McNamara gently exposing the jawbone at the back of your mouth, cutting a small incision in the bone and lifting up the sinus membrane lining. The space underneath is then packed with bone graft material, and once this is inserted, the cut is stitched.

In some cases, if there is enough stable bone available, dental implants can be attached during the same procedure. However, in most cases the bone needs time to heal and integrate into your jaw before dental implants can be attached.    

How long will you take to recover?

Patients report that they have little discomfort after a sinus lift, although swelling of the area is common after this procedure.  Avoid blowing your nose for a few days so as not to affect the stitches.

Dr Zeb McNamara will give you medication for any pain, an antibiotic, and a mouthwash to prevent infection. Please see our Post Operative Care Instructions for more information about your recovery after General Anaesthetic surgery.

After a week Dr McNamara will examine the site of the sinus lift to ensure it is healing well. Depending on the amount of grafted material inserted into your jaw, it will take from four to nine months for the bone graft to integrate with your bone.

What are the risks of the procedure?

There are a few risks with a sinus lift procedure, although they are not common.  Dr Zeb McNamara will discuss with you the risks of a sinus lift at your pre-operative consultation.