Sinus lift (sinus floor augmentation, sinus floor elevation)
The floor of the maxillary sinus borders the alveolar ridge in the lateral upper jaw. If bone loss occurs in this jaw, the floor of the maxillary sinus above it automatically lowers, and implants can no longer be supported.
The sinus lift procedure creates a sufficient implant bed, and it is preceded by comprehensive 3D diagnostics to determine the individual bone situation.
How does the sinus lift work?
The sinus lift is a method of moving the lowered floor of the maxillary sinus upwards again. This is done by lifting the mucous membrane above it (Schneider’s membrane) and introducing bone material into the resulting cavity. During the subsequent healing phase, the inserted bone material is converted into resilient bone.
What sinus lift methods are there?
When it comes to sinus lifts, a distinction is made between external and internal sinus lifts. The difference between the two techniques lies in the way the oral surgeon gains access to the maxillary sinus.
External sinus lift
With an external sinus lift, access to the maxillary sinus is established from the vestibule of the mouth (area between the cheeks and upper jawbone). Under certain conditions, the external sinus lift and the insertion of the implant(s) can be performed in one treatment session.
Internal sinus lift (also: small sinus lift, small sinus floor augmentation)
With an internal sinus lift, access to the maxillary sinus is via the implant tunnel, also used for the implant. However, the implant tunnel is not drilled completely through so that the floor of the maxillary sinus and its sensitive mucous membrane are not injured. Instead, the drilling process ends shortly before the floor of the maxillary sinus begins. The remaining thin layer of bone is removed using a very fine ultrasonic diamond (piezo surgery). The area that was operated on and filled with bone material is tightly closed by the implant, which is then screwed in.
Sinus lift with piezo surgery
Ultrasound-based piezosurgery (or piezo-surgery) is a very modern and extremely gentle surgical procedure for processing bones. The handpiece of the device used is actually somewhat reminiscent of an ultrasonic toothbrush. It is suitable for various uses and, therefore, has various attachments.
Piezo surgery is explicitly used for sinus lifts, to remove bone, i.e., to create a bone window to the maxillary sinus in the area of the floor of the maxillary sinus, and to raise the mucous membrane overlying the floor of the maxillary sinus.
During piezosurgery, the bone is removed using high-frequency ultrasound vibrations without damaging the soft tissue. The oral surgeon uses the water pressure of the ultrasound-based device to lift the maxillary sinus mucosa.
This means that the piezo method is extremely gentle compared to conventional techniques with rotating drills or oscillating saws and, therefore, promotes faster wound healing.
Socket preservation
The “Socket Preservation” bone-building method is used in the aesthetically demanding front tooth area. Here, the bone compartment is filled with bone material immediately after the tooth has been removed. This prevents the gums from growing into the tooth socket. The Socket Preservation procedure ensures that the existing bone and soft tissue structures are preserved, which is particularly important for the aesthetics of the subsequent implant restoration.