Sinus Augmentation: Preparing Sinuses for Dental Implants
The quality and quantity of available bone are key to successful placement of maxillary dental implants. If you don’t have enough bone in your upper jaw (maxilla), you may need sinus augmentation surgery – also called a sinus lift or sinus graft – before your dental implant surgery.
Understanding Sinus Augmentation
The maxillary sinus is an air-filled space behind the cheek and above the upper teeth. Loss of teeth deep in the upper jaw causes natural bone deterioration and thinning, which can lead the maxillary sinuses to expand downward. This jaw deterioration may result in insufficient bone height for dental implant placement.
A sinus augmentation is a surgical procedure that adds bone between the jaw and the maxillary sinuses to create a solid base for dental implants.
Evaluation for Sinus Augmentation
Before sinus augmentation, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) will perform a comprehensive examination – including dental imaging – to assess the condition of your jaw bones and sinuses. This evaluation will determine whether sinus augmentation surgery is needed and whether it is suitable for you.
Surgical Techniques
Sinus augmentation may be performed under local anesthesia to ensure comfort, along with sedation if necessary. Two common techniques are used:
- “Lateral window” technique: In this approach, an incision is made in the gum to expose the jawbone. A small window is then created in the bone that allows access to the maxillary sinus. Your OMS will lift the lining of the sinus and carefully place the bone graft material. The incision is then sutured, and the healing process begins.
- “Vertical osteotome” technique: This technique is used when minimal bone height is required. Instead of creating a lateral window, a small hole is made in the jawbone below the maxillary sinus. A special instrument called an osteotome is used to lift the lining of the sinus and fill the space created with bone graft material.
Bone Graft Material
During sinus augmentation, a bone replacement material is introduced into the created space. The graft material may be synthetic, animal-derived, or obtained from the patient’s own body (autologous bone graft). The choice of graft material depends on several factors, including preference, degree of bone loss, and the recommendations of your OMS.
Healing and Integration
After sinus augmentation, the bone substitute stimulates new bone growth. Over the next few months, the bone graft will integrate (fuse) with the surrounding jawbone to form a strong and stable base for placing the dental implant.
Placement of Dental Implants
Depending on the situation, implants can be placed simultaneously with the sinus augmentation or as a separate procedure. If placed as a separate procedure, once the bone graft is fully healed and integrated, dental implant placement can be planned. The bone added by maxillary sinus augmentation provides the necessary support and stability for successful implant placement, allowing the implant to integrate into the jawbone and function as a natural tooth.
Benefits of Sinus Lift Surgery
Sinus augmentation offers several advantages for a patient, including:
- Increased bone mass: Augmentation of the maxillary sinus increases the height and thickness of the posterior maxillary bone, overcomes the bone defect, and forms a sufficient base for dental implants.
- Improved implant success rate: By improving bone quantity and quality, sinus augmentation significantly increases the success rate of maxillary dental implant surgery. Additional bone support improves osseointegration (implant-to-bone fusion), improving long-term implant stability and longevity.
- Restored functionality and esthetics: Dental implants are based on solid bone foundations and allow for natural chewing, speaking, and smiling.
If you would like to know if you are a good candidate for dental implants, consult with an experienced OMS.
