Not many of us have ever heard of a sinus lift, but it is much more common than you might think. Even though it sounds like some kind of plastic surgery, it is, in fact, a dental procedure. One in which lays the foundation for an upper jaw implant that can help one avoid dangerous dental affiliations such as gum disease or even tooth decay. To begin, it’s important to note that a sinus lift is a grafting procedure. This grafting procedure, in particular, is designed to make more room in the back, upper jaw area of the mouth. Over time, if there is a lack of teeth in this space, the bone mass can face a major reduction in volume, making the sinuses more susceptible to sag and making the likely hood of a successful implant abysmal. To understand this surgery a bit better, let’s discuss 3 things essential to know.

A key to implant success is the quantity and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed. The upper back jaw has traditionally been one of the most difficult areas to successfully place dental implants due to insufficient bone quantity and quality and the proximity to the sinus. If you’ve lost bone in that area due to reasons such as periodontal disease or tooth loss, you may be left without enough bone to place implants.

Sinus lift surgery can help correct this problem by raising the sinus floor and developing bone for the placement of dental implants. Several techniques can be used to raise the sinus and allow for new bone to form. In one common technique, an incision is made to expose the bone. Then a small circle is cut into the bone. This bony piece is lifted into the sinus cavity, much like a trap door, and the space underneath is filled with bone graft material. Your periodontist can explain your options for graft materials, which can regenerate lost bone and tissue.