What to Expect When Undergoing a Sinus Lift

Your dentist has told you that you need a sinus lift, but what exactly does that entail? Take a moment to find out what to expect from this dental surgical procedure.

The number of people getting dental implants has really started to increase in the last 15 years. Because of this, the number of sinus lift procedures are also on the rise.

At Periodontist of Weston, Tamir Segal, DMD, and our team want you to know what to expect if you need to have a sinus lift.

Sinus lifts explained

A sinus lift is a common dental procedure where the amount of bone in your upper jaw is increased between your molars and premolars. When dental implants are needed to replace your permanent teeth, you need sufficient bone quality and quantity for the implants to anchor into.

To perform a sinus lift, we lift the sinus floor and add more bone volume in order to provide an adequate surface area for dental implants.

Sinus lifts are typically recommended if you have less than 4-6mm of bone height in the back section of your jaw.

Who needs a sinus lift?

If you’re looking to get dental implants to replace missing or damaged permanent teeth, you need to have an adequate amount of bone in your jaw so the implants can anchor in place.

If you don’t have enough bone mass in your jaw for dental implants due to a birth defect, thin jawbone, or loss of bone from periodontal disease, then a sinus lift is probably going to be necessary in order to make sure your dental implants are able to not only be put in properly — but also last.

What to expect during the procedure

At Periodontist of Weston, Dr. Segal recommends good brushing and flossing habits well before the surgery takes place. You also want to make sure you have a dependable person to drive you home after your procedure.

To begin, Dr. Segal numbs the treatment area and gives you a sedative so you don’t feel any pain and stay relaxed during the whole process. Small incisions are then made to raise your sinus floor and put the bone graft into place. You may need stitches to help the area heal properly.

After your sinus lift, it takes about 5-6 months to fully heal. You should then be able to start the process of getting your dental implants so you can enjoy your best smile.

If you’d like to find out more information or learn if you’re a candidate for a sinus lift, call our office located in Weston, Florida, at 954-385-9599 or book an appointment online today.