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Dr. Alan Slootsky D.M.D, M.A.G.D., F.A.C.D. Restorative Dentistry / Oral Health March 4, 2016 |
A sinus lift is a surgery done to add bone to the upper jaw in areas of the molars and premolars. This surgery can 
also be known as sinus augmentation. Bone is added between the jaw and maxillary sinuses. The maxillary sinuses are located on either side of the nose. The sinus membrane has to be lifted or moved upwards in order to make room for the new bone.
Why it is Done?
A sinus lift surgery is performed when there is not enough bone height in the upper jaw or the sinuses are too close to the jaw. This means most dental implants won’t fit when they are needed to be placed in. There can be a number of different reasons for why there is not enough room and the following are a few of them.
- When someone has lost teeth in the upper jaw – mainly the back molars – there was not enough bone for implants to be placed. The structure of the human skull is constructed in a way where the back of the upper jaw has less bone then the lower jaw.
- Periodontal disease can lead to bone loss.
- Bone loss occurs when teeth are lost. Once a tooth is gone, the bone underneath will begin to be absorbed back into the body. When teeth are missing for a long period of time there usually isn’t enough bone left for an implant to be placed on.
- The maxillary sinus can be located too close to the upper jaw for implants to be placed. The shape and size of the sinus will vary from person to person. The sinuses can also grow larger as you grow, causing more problems.
Over the past 15 years sinus lifts have become more common, because more people are having dental implants done to replace missing teeth. Many also want their perfect smile back and a sinus lift can help them achieve it.
Sinus Lift
For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000. Dr. Alan Slootsky is a dentist in Pompano Beach, Florida dedicated to bringing patients state-of-the-art dental care. As a cosmetic, family andrestorative dentist, he helps patients enjoy a natural and healthy smile. Dr. Slootsky has integrated a friendly, hands-on gentle approach with highly accurate and patient-sensitive technologies and tools to both identify and resolve problems in a timely and efficient manner. We know most people don’t like to visit the dentist. That’s why we make every effort to make your experience both as effective and as pleasant as possible.
Image: Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons