What is a sinus lift?

A sinus lift is a dental procedure that increases the volume of bone in the sinuses to facilitate the fixing of conventional dental implants. It is usually part of an All-on-4 or All-on-6 procedure.

Basal implant dentists do not need to carry out a sinus lift because they know how to place Pterygoid dental implants behind the sinuses to complete the full dental restoration of the upper jaw.

Sinus lift is required by conventional implantologists because conventional implants are too short. They are not suitable for patients that suffer from severe bone loss. The lifting of the sinusal membrane is necessary to create sufficient bone matter to anchor the short conventional implants under the sinuses. Basal implants are longer and can be anchored in front and behind the sinuses in the cortical bone. It avoids the lengthy, complicated and expensive procedure of sinus lifting.

What are the risks of a sinus lift?

There are risks associated with a sinus lift, both health risks and the risk of failure. They include swelling, discomfort, bleeding and infection. But, the most common complication of the sinus lift is chronic sinusitis.

Patients aged 50 years and more have a higher risk of failure as the bone matter injected in the sinus membrane does not harden. It remains in a gelatinous state. It can also be reabsorbed by the body within a few months. In both cases there is not sufficient bone matter to place any conventional dental implants under the sinuses. As a result it is not possible to complete the rehabilitation of the upper jaw. The only alternative solutions in this case are zygomatic implants that have their drawbacks or tubero-pterygoid basal dental implants that are the best long-term solution.

The advantages of pterygoid implants

Pterygoid dental implants are essential for a full dental restoration. They complete the rehabilitation of the upper jaw to recreate the natural functionality of the mouth.

Sinus lift or bone graft?

What are the similarities and differences between a sinus lift and a bone graft? Both are used to achieve the same goal of increasing bone matter for placing classical also known as conventional dental implants. Here are the differences between the two procedures:

Sinus Lift

A sinus lift is a type of bone graft procedure that is performed in the sinuses.

Bone Graft

A bone graft is a dental procedure that involves adding bone matter to either the upper or lower the jaw to increase the volume of bone matter to place conventional dental implants. There are different types of bone grafting. They include taking bone from another part of the body or using synthetic bone material.

In summary, a sinus lift is a type of bone graft procedure that is performed in the sinuses. Whilst a bone graft involves adding bone to any part necessary of the upper and lower jaw.

Advice on sinus lift

How to find a good implant dentist for a full mouth dental restoration without a sinus lift?

Contact us for free advice. We will help find the appropriate basal dental implant surgeon for full mouth dental restoration without requiring a sinus lift. Our advice is based on your dental condition, location and budget.

Not all dentists are equal. Basal implantology requires additional qualifications. And not all qualified basal implantologists are sufficiently experienced to place pterygoid dental implants successfully. We can help you find the right implant dentist.

And when you find a dental implant surgeon ask for before and after photos of his patients. Check his diplomas. And check his previous experience by analysing the OPG panoramic x-ray of his patients. Compare the volume of bone with your own to understand if he has relevant experience.

Alternatives to a sinus lift

There are several alternatives to a lifting of sinuses for a denatl restoration of the upper jaw. Some have draw-backs.