A sinus graft – also known as a sinus lift, or a sinus augmentation – is a procedure performed to build up bone material in the molar and pre-molar regions of the upper jaw. This procedure is commonly performed so that a patient can be a candidate for successful dental implantation surgery.
If you’re looking at having a sinus graft procedure, you may be wondering what to expect. Here are five facts to help prepare you.
1. Why Sinus Grafting Is Needed
Sinus grafting is a specialized sort of dental bone grafting, which may be required to prepare a patient’s upper jaw for dental implants if the sinuses are too close to the jawbone. The procedure “lifts” the sinuses away from the jaw to create space for bone to grow, and the space is then filled with bone graft material, which will eventually support the implants.
2. Where the Graft Material Comes From
Bone grafting material can sometimes come from the patient’s own body – usually from the back, chin, hip or shin bones. It can also come from other sources, like a tissue bank, or from cadaver, bovine or synthetic bone. Material obtained from the patient’s own body is known as autogenous material. Material obtained through a tissue bank is known as an allograft, and material from a different species, such as bovine material, is known as a xenograft.
3. How the Procedure Works
Sinus grafting is slightly more complicated than other types of dental bone grafting, and there are several different ways this procedure can be performed. The Lateral Window Technique involves creating a window in the patient’s jawbone and lifting the sinus membrane with a combination of autogenous and allograft material. The Crestal Core Elevation Technique involves drilling a hole in the jawbone, pushing remaining bone matter and sinus membrane into the sinus cavity, and then filling the cavity with xenograft or allograft material. This procedure is less invasive, but it can involve post-operative discomfort, swelling and bruising. The Osteotome Technique involves creating a very small hole in the jawbone and inserting bone-grafting material between the sinus floor and the bone. It is considered one of the least invasive techniques for sinus grafting. Balloon Sinus Elevation is minimally invasive and involves inserting a “lift balloon” which is filled with saline to raise the sinus membrane, then filling the space with bone graft material.
4. How Much Sinus Grafting Costs
Generally, sinus lift procedures cost somewhere between $1,500 and $3,000 per side. If a large amount of augmentation is needed – or if it’s needed on both sides of the jaw – the cost can be up to $25,000. Cost may depend on the type of lift procedure performed. Health insurance typically does not cover this procedure.
5. How Long the Recuperation Period Will Last
The recuperation period for sinus grafting is typically between 3-6 months. Dental implants may be placed immediately, or they may be placed 6 to 9 months after the grafting procedure, depending on stability. Placing the implant immediately eliminates the need for a second surgical procedure and shortens overall healing time.