Bone Grafting and Sinus Lift

Why Sinus lift?

A sinus lift bone graft (sinus augmentation) is a surgical procedure to add bone to your upper jaw in the area of your molars and premolars. The sinuses are empty spaces in your skull located behind your cheeks and above your upper back teeth.

This procedure is typically performed when there isn't enough bone height in the upper jaw to support dental implants. Without a sufficient amount of healthy bone, a dental implant would not have a stable foundation and would fail. 

Types of Sinus Lift Surgery

1. Crestal Sinus Lift: this is a much less invasive procedure where the bone graft is introduced to to sinus through the tooth socket or implant osteotomy site. However, this procedure can only place a limited about of bone into the sinus.

2. Lateral Sinus Lift: this is a more invasive surgical procedure whereby a hole is open on your upper jaw bone to introduce bone graft into the sinus. This procedure allow a large amount of bone graft placement. However, there are higher risk and more recovery pain/swelling involved.

After the surgery, you may experience some swelling, bruising, and minor bleeding from your nose or mouth. It's crucial to follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions, which usually include avoiding blowing your nose, sneezing with your mouth open, and not using a straw to prevent pressure on the surgical site.

Sinus Lift at Tripitaka Dental, Cabramatta

At Tripitaka Dental, Cabramatta we follow best practice guidelines for infection control in all our implant surgery and sinus lift procedures. Your safety and well-being is our priority.

The most common materials used for dental bone grafts in Australia are:

1. Autograft

• This is patient's own bone, typically harvested from another part of the body, such as the chin, jaw, or hip.

• Advantages: This is considered the "gold standard" because the bone is biologically compatible, contains living bone cells, and has no risk of immune rejection or disease transmission. It promotes the fastest and most predictable healing.

• Disadvantages: It requires a second surgical procedure to harvest the bone, which can increase discomfort, recovery time, and cost.

2. Xenograft

•  Bone from an animal, most commonly a cow (bovine) or pig (porcine).

• Advantages: It is widely available and can be used for larger defects. It avoids the need for a second surgical procedure on the patient.

• Disadvantages: The body may take longer to integrate with the material. It serves as a scaffold for new bone growth but doesn't contain living cells to actively stimulate it.

3. Alloplast (Synthetic)

• This is Lab-made materials, often composed of biocompatible substances like calcium phosphate ceramics or bioactive glass.

• Advantages: There is no risk of disease transmission or immune rejection. It is available in unlimited quantities and can be molded to fit a specific defect.

• Disadvantages: It also lacks living cells and growth factors, which can result in a slower and less predictable healing process, particularly for extensive bone loss.

Bone Graft at Tripitaka Dental Cabramatta

At Tripitaka Dental Cabramatta, we use premium xenograft and alloplast for dental implant bone graft. Your dentist will discuss with you the most suitable options for your case.