Sinus Surgery and Its Connection to Dental Health

What Is Sinus Surgery and Why Is It Needed?

Dental implants are a great, innovative way to replace teeth, but sometimes there isn’t enough bone to support them. In this case, your doctor might recommend sinus surgery.

Sinus surgery, also known as a sinus lift, is a bone grafting procedure that will augment and strengthen your jaw bone to create better support for implants. Similar to procedures explained in our guide on bone grafting, this treatment helps rebuild lost bone structure to improve implant success and long-term oral health.

The procedure lifts your sinus floor, creating space for bone growth and an implant. This procedure is commonly recommended if implants are needed in the back or upper jaw, as that bone is naturally thinner than the rest of our jawbones.

Who Might Need a Sinus Lift?

You might be a candidate for sinus surgery if:

• You are missing more than one tooth in the back of your jaw. Patients experiencing missing teeth often require additional bone support before implants can be placed successfully.
• Your tooth has been missing for a long time, which has led to bone degradation.
• Your tooth was lost due to periodontal disease, which frequently causes bone loss and structural weakening.

In many cases, untreated dental issues or delayed replacement of extracted teeth can lead to bone shrinkage. If you recently had a tooth removed or are considering it, understanding post-extraction healing is important. See our related article on extractions.

How Sinus Surgery Is Performed

The surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia, just like a routine filling. Once the area is numbed, an incision is made in the gum to expose the bone.

A small opening is made in the bone to uncover the sinus membrane. The sinus membrane is pushed up, and bone grafting material is inserted. The gum is then stitched back up.

Sinus lift procedures fall under advanced oral surgical treatments. If you want to explore other procedures within this category.

Typically, healing takes six to seven months before an implant is placed, but in some cases, the implant can be placed during the sinus lift procedure, eliminating the need for a second surgery.

Recovery and Aftercare

Swelling and minor discomfort last for a few days after surgery, similar to having wisdom teeth removed.

Other side effects include sinus inflammation, in which case a decongestant is recommended. Antibiotics are prescribed to prevent infection, and in some cases, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication is prescribed to minimize swelling and discomfort.

Experience Expert Care at Ripon Dental

Experience exceptional dental care at Ripon Dental, home to the best dentist and the finest dental services in town. Conveniently located at 1222 W Colony Rd, Suite 140, Ripon, CA 95366, US, we invite you to contact us today at (209) 924-4089 to discover our comprehensive range of services.