Closed sinus lift

Here are six advantages of a “closed sinus lift” method, when there is not enough sufficient bone height in the maxillary region for dental implants.

1. Less invasive: The closed sinus lift technique is much less invasive than the traditional approach which involves raising a large flap at the side of your jaw. Most patients will not even be aware that they have had a closed sinus lift when having a dental implant placed at the same time.

2. Less surgery time: The closed sinus lift technique can be accomplished in far less time than the traditional approach.

3. Less overall complications: The closed sinus lift technique has far fewer risks of complications. This is because the technique is much less invasive, it is much simpler and less surgery is required.

4. The implant can be placed at the same time: Using the closed sinus lift technique, the implant is also placed at the same time which causes a marked reduction in treatment time overall. This means that there are fewer visits for the patient.

5. Less pain: After the procedure, there is much less pain, swelling and bruising afterwards. Many patients do not even need any painkillers afterwards.

However, in marked contrast with the traditional maxillary sinus lift augmentation procedure, there is extensive pain, swelling and bruising afterwards. The patients also will be given a hefty dose of antibiotics and painkillers even before the operation.

After the operation is over, the patient will need a further dose of antibiotics, more painkillers and often corticosteroids to reduce the subsequent inflammation and swelling. A closed sinus lift technique produces far less surgical trauma and antibiotics are not even required.

6. Little or no bone graft material is needed so there is a reduction in cost also.

The closed sinus lift technique does not have any of these disadvantages and should be preferred as the first option. The closed sinus lift technique works for many situations however if the bone height is severely limited, then the closed sinus lift technique does not work and an alternative has to be in place.

Most dentists will use the technique called the Summer technique of internal sinus lifting however additional newer techniques have also now developed. One of these is the balloon technique which has good success rates.

Another even newer technique is using a flat end implant which itself lifts the floor of the sinus. There are good studies which also show that this technique does not even require any bone grafting as the body produces its natural bone to fill in the subsequent space.