Maxillary sinuses surgeries

A sinus lift is performed in case of the necessity to rebuild the Patient’s jaw bone prior to implantation. When is it necessary to conduct the procedure?

The extraction of a tooth or adjacent teeth often results in considerable bone loss which, in some cases, prevents the proper use of implants. This concerns primarily the upper dental arch, where the osteolysis process following tooth extraction is intense.

Such cases require lifting the floor of the sinus. This procedure may be performed in two ways. The first method, known as the open technique, is a type of surgery during which the dental surgeon regenerates the bone by implanting the patient’s own bone or bone substitute material into the sinus (through an opening in the side wall of the maxillary sinus). The advantage of this method is the possibility of simultaneous placement of the implant, which significantly shortens the healing process.

The second technique, called the closed technique, is a less invasive procedure, during which the dental surgeon fills out bone voids by depositing material through an opening made by drilling the alveolar bone of the jaw. This method permits lifting the sinus up to 2mm, however it is time-consuming and requires the involvement of more people and equipment, which may result in the higher final cost of the treatment.

Choosing the right technique always depends on the condition of the patient’s sinus. See also: guided bone regeneration.