About Sinus Lifts
Before you journey into the world of dental implants, your dentist may refer you to a skilled surgeon for a sinus lift consultation. Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Bartlomiej Nierzwicki, performs sinus lift surgery in his Chicago, IL practice to help his patients make room for dental implants when molars or premolars need to be removed in the upper jaw. A sinus lift is a distinct procedure for patients who do not have enough bone height needed for dental implants in the upper jaw (which requires support), sinuses that are too close to the bone or are too large. To make room for the bone graft, each maxillary sinus has to be lifted. At Millennium Surgical, we have a dedicated team, who implement the patient’s own, allogenic or xenograft bone for grafting.
Reasons for a Lift
Sinus lifts are a common procedure for patients who need:
- Dental implants in the upper back jaw
- Increased bone height since they have experienced bone loss from gum disease
- A strong foundation for dental implant stability
- To resize and reposition the sinus
During the Procedure
To take measurements of the jaw and sinuses and to determine how the sinuses should be repositioned, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon will take dental X-rays. The surgeon will first make an incision in the gum tissue at the back of the mouth after the bone graft is prepared. The tissue will be lifted and expose the existing bone. Our surgeon will delicately place the graft to push the membrane lining of the sinus upward, and further away from the jaw. Then, the incision will be closed with stitches. This is not the final step in the whole process, but it is the end of the surgery. In the next 4 – 9 months, the graft will bond with the existing bone. Once there is a full bond your surgeon can place the dental implant.
Other Considerations
Our oral and maxillofacial surgeon will prescribe pain medication and antibiotics for the inflammation and soreness this surgery will cause and to prevent an infection in the area treated. There will, of course, be swelling and some blood spotting in the nose or mouth after surgery. In your aftercare instructions, our staff will suggest:
- Using a saline nasal spray to keep dryness in the nose at bay
- Avoiding blowing your nose or sneezing (if possible)
We ask that you follow-up with your surgeon in 7 – 10 days for suture removal. Please call the office right away if you experience serious pain, swelling, fever, or if the bleeding will not stop.
Plan Your Procedure
Recovery Time 1 Week
Post-op Follow-up 2 Weeks
Procedure Recovery Location Office
Breathe Easy Again
At our oral and maxillofacial surgery office, patients can receive surgery to ensure adequate room for dental implants. Best of all, treatment will be provided in a secure location thanks to the advanced technology and professionalism of our surgeon and staff. Dental implants need a strong foundation in the jaw before they can be placed, and having a sinus lift surgery will dramatically increase the success of the process. We invite you to call for a consultation today.