Sinus Lift
Rebuild Bone Structure With a Sinus Lift in Conway, SC
If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone in your upper jaw to support dental implants, a sinus lift procedure in Conway, SC could be your solution. At Rollar Oral Surgery, we offer this advanced oral surgery technique to help create the necessary bone structure to securely anchor implants, even in cases of bone loss due to aging, injury, or other factors. Below, we’ll explain what a sinus lift is, who might benefit from it, and how the procedure is performed, so you can feel confident about restoring your smile. Contact us today for more information.
Sinus lifts are complex procedures best handled by board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons—experts with extensive training in facial, jaw, and head surgery. Certification reflects the highest level of surgical skill, clinical knowledge, and patient care.
At Rollar Oral Surgery, we’re honored to serve Conway, SC with proven expertise and a compassionate approach. For procedures requiring precision and experience, like sinus lifts, choosing the right specialist makes all the difference.
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What Is a Sinus Lift?
The maxillary sinuses, located behind your cheeks and above your upper teeth, play an important role in your oral structure. These sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces, but they sit close to the roots of your upper teeth. In fact, when upper teeth are removed, only a thin wall of bone may remain to separate the sinus from the mouth. This becomes a challenge when placing dental implants, as they require a solid foundation of bone to stay secure. Dental implants can’t be placed in that area if the sinus wall is too thin.
For a dental implant to succeed, having enough healthy jawbone is crucial. Unfortunately, bone loss can occur due to periodontal disease, injuries, or natural aging. A sinus lift procedure is designed to increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw by carefully raising the sinus floor and encouraging new bone growth in the space. During the procedure, new bone is added to the area between the gum ridge and the maxillary sinus floor. This creates the strong, stable foundation needed to anchor dental implants securely. By boosting bone density in this region, patients who previously weren’t candidates for implants can now enjoy the benefits of a healthy, fully restored smile.
Signs and Symptoms That May Point to a Sinus Lift
- Bone thinning between the sinus and mouth seen on X-rays
- Shifting or loose teeth in the upper back jaw
- Facial changes or sunken upper jaw appearance
- Long-term denture use causing bone shrinkage
- Pressure or discomfort near missing upper teeth
- Failed implants due to weak bone support
- Low sinus position interfering with implant placement
- Trauma or injury to the upper jawbone
- Gum disease leading to bone loss
- Irregularities in jawbone scans
- Missing molars or premolars in the upper jaw
- Bone deterioration from prolonged tooth loss
- Chronic sinus infections linked to jawbone loss
- Told you’re not a candidate for implants due to bone deficiency
- Desire for implants but lacking bone height
- Underlying Conditions That Often Require a Sinus Lift
Underlying Conditions That Often Require a Sinus Lift
- Expanded sinus cavity after tooth extraction
- Thin or narrow upper jaw ridge
- Severe bone loss in the upper jaw (maxillary resorption)
- Failed bone grafts in the upper back jaw
- Tooth loss in the molar or premolar area
- Sinus located too close to implant site
- Shrinkage of the upper jawbone (atrophic maxilla)
- Advanced gum disease causing bone damage
- Trauma-related bone loss in the sinus region
- Loss of vertical bone height in the back upper jaw
- Sinus-floor perforation from past extractions or injury
- Congenital bone deficiency in the upper jaw
- Removal of cysts or benign tumors affecting bone volume
- Implant failure due to poor bone stability
- Facial deformities or structural issues requiring bone support
How Is This Oral Surgery Accomplished?
During sinus augmentation, a small incision is made in the premolar or molar area to access the jawbone. From there, a tiny opening is created in the bone, and the sinus membrane is carefully lifted upward. The space beneath is then filled with bone graft material, which could come from your own body, a donor, or synthetic materials designed to mimic natural bone.
Once the bone graft is in place, the incision is closed, and the healing process begins. Over the next several months, the graft integrates with your natural bone, creating a strong foundation for dental implants. In some cases, if there’s already enough bone to stabilize the implant, both the sinus lift and implant placement can be done in a single procedure. However, if additional bone growth is needed, the sinus lift will be performed first, followed by a healing period to allow the graft to mature before implanting.