A sinus lift procedure is a surgical procedure that is performed to add bone to the upper jaw, in the area of the molars and premolars. This is accomplished by lifting the sinus membrane and inserting a bone graft. The added bone helps to provide a solid foundation for dental implants, which can be used to replace missing teeth. This procedure is particularly beneficial for people who have lost bone in the upper jaw due to injury, periodontal disease, or tooth loss.

About Sinus Lifts

A sinus lift, sometimes called a sinus augmentation, is a treatment that increases the amount of bone to the upper jaw in the area of the back teeth (molars and premolars) to enable successful implant placement. The maxillary sinuses are located above the upper jawbone on either side of your nose. When a tooth has been lost from the upper jaw, there may not be sufficient bone structure in the sinus region to place a dental implant. Tooth loss also leads to bone loss because the bone begins to be resorbed once the teeth have been lost or removed. If the teeth have been missing for a longer period of time, or if bone loss has occurred because of periodontal disease, this may further contribute to lack of bone for implant placement.

Candidates for Sinus Lift Procedure

If you are receiving dental implants in your upper jaw, Drs. AJ Stosich and Joe Fullmer may need to perform a sinus lift to ensure that you have enough healthy bone tissue to support your restoration. To supplement the bone structure and allow for the successful placement of a dental implant, our oral surgeon in Salt Lake City may recommend a sinus lift. During this procedure, we gently lift the sinus membrane and push it up and away from the jaw. We then add bone-grafting material in the area where the sinus was to add to the bone structure.

We typically allow a healing period of 4-9 months after this procedure so the grafted material can mesh with the natural bone. The dental implant can then be placed to replace the missing tooth. For more information about whether a sinus lift is right for your oral health needs, we invite you to contact us today. Give us a call to make your appointment with our oral and maxillofacial surgeons and to learn more about sinus lifts.