Indirect Sinus Lift

Indirect sinus lift

What Is Indirect Sinus Lift?

An Indirect Sinus Lift, also known as subantral sinus augmentation, subcrestal augmentation, sinus floor elevation, or transcrestal approach, is a minimally invasive bone grafting procedure that increases the bone height in the upper jaw. This procedure indirectly lifts the sinus membrane through the crestal ridge, allowing for a stable foundation to support dental implants in cases where bone height is insufficient under the maxillary sinus. Often, it can be completed simultaneously with dental implant placement, helping patients regain functional chewing and speech.

Before you deciding on whether Indirect Sinus Lift are right for you, there are some things you should know:

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Who Needs Indirect Sinus Lift?

An Indirect Sinus Lift may be recommended for patients who:

  • Have Insufficient Bone Height: When the bone height in the upper jaw is inadequate to support dental implants.
  • Have Missing Teeth: Extended tooth loss in the upper posterior area can lead to bone resorption, reducing bone height and complicating implant placement.
  • Experienced Trauma or Injury: Injury to the upper jaw can lead to bone loss, necessitating a sinus lift to restore bone height for implants.
  • Have Advanced Gum Disease: Gum disease can result in vertical bone loss in the upper jaw, making implant placement challenging.

A comprehensive evaluation, often including CBCT scans, is necessary to determine candidacy for the procedure. If you have further questions about Indirect Sinus Lift, please contact us.

Indirect sinus lift steps

Benefits of Indirect Sinus Lift

The Indirect Sinus Lift procedure has several advantages:

  • Minimally Invasive: Unlike other sinus lift methods, this procedure avoids creating a lateral window, making it less traumatic.
  • Predictable Outcomes: High success rates in bone regeneration and implant placement.
  • Shorter Healing Time: As a minimally invasive procedure, healing is typically quicker.
  • Improved Quality of Life: Enables stable implant placement, improving chewing and speech.
  • Reduces Need for Additional Procedures: Often performed concurrently with implant placement, reducing overall treatment time.

The advantages of Indirect Sinus Lifting make it a popular choice for patients who require dental implants in the posterior upper jaw and have insufficient bone height for implant placement. If you have further questions about the pros and cons of Indirect Sinus Lift, please contact us.

Type of Bone Graft Material

There are several types of bone graft materials for an Indirect Sinus Lift:

  • Allograft: Sourced from human donors and processed to reduce disease transmission risk.
  • Xenograft: Sourced from animals (commonly bovine or porcine) and processed for safety.
  • Autograft: Taken from the patient’s own body, typically the hip or jaw. It’s the “gold standard” but requires an additional surgery.
  • Alloplast: Synthetic graft materials, such as calcium phosphate, suitable for those preferring non-biological options.

Discussing each option with a dentist can help determine the best material based on individual preferences and requirements. If you have further questions about bone graft materials used for an indirect sinus lift, please contact us.

Cost of Indirect Sinus Lift

The cost of an Indirect Sinus Lift is $986 plus Dental materials expense (approximately $300). In addition, you should also consider additional costs related to CBCT imaging ($227-388.50), and dental implants ($4155 to 5212). The codes relevant to Alveolar bone preservation in the Ontario Dental Association’s Suggested Fee Guide appear as follows: 

Sinus Osseous Augmentation

  • 79355 – Sinus Osseous Augmentation, Indirect Inferior – Allograft : $986 + Dental materials expense (approximately $300)

Radiographs, Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT), Acquisition

  • 07011 – Small field of view (e.g. sextant or part of, isolated temporomandibular joint): $127
  • 07012 – Large field of view (1 arch): $206.45
  • 07013 – Large field of view (2 arches): $288.50

Radiographs, Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT), Interpretation

  • 07032 – Two units (30 minutes): $100

Implants, Osseointegrated, Root Form, More than one component

  • 79931 – Surgical Installation of Implant with Cover Screw – per implant: $1785+ Dental Materials Expense (approximately $350)

Crowns, Porcelain/Ceramic/Polymer Glass Fused to Metal

  • 27215 – Crown, Porcelain/Ceramic/Polymer Glass Fused to Metal Base, Implant-Supported: $1270 + Dental Lab Fee and Dental Materials Expense (approximately $750)

The Ontario Dental Association’s Suggested Fee Guide is a proposed fee structure that dentists in Ontario may or may not follow. Please consult with your dentist about fees before going ahead with treatment. 

Indirect sinus lifting in preparation for dental implant surgery is oftentimes considered a supplementary service by dental insurance plans and may or may not be covered by your dental insurance. Be sure to find out from your dental insurance plan provider how much you are eligible for before going ahead with dental treatment. Your dentist can help you submit a predetermination to your dental insurance.

For patients without dental insurance, Atlas Dental is pleased to offer dental financing through Dentalcard. Affordable payment plans start at 7.95% for terms of 6 months to 6 years. To learn more about Dentalcard dental treatment financing, follow this link.

Indirect sinus lift steps

Steps in the Indirect Sinus Lift Procedure

The Indirect Sinus Lift procedure typically includes:

  1. Evaluation and Planning: A review of dental history and CBCT imaging to assess the site.
  2. Anesthesia: Local anesthesia to numb the area.
  3. Access Hole Creation: A small incision in the gum, followed by a drilled access point in the upper jaw.
  4. Sinus Membrane Elevation: Specialized instruments gently lift the sinus membrane.
  5. Placement of Graft Material/Implant: The bone graft, and often the dental implant, are placed in the created space.
  6. Suturing: The access point is sutured, and the patient receives post-operative instructions.
  7. Follow-Up: Appointments to monitor healing and evaluate implant readiness.

The procedure is typically quick, often completed in a single visit, but requires careful adherence to post-operative care to ensure success. If you have further questions about Indirect Sinus Lift, please contact us.

How Long Does Indirect Sinus Lift Last?

With proper care, the bone graft from an Indirect Sinus Lift can last a lifetime. Most dentists recommend a 4–6 month healing period before implant placement, though this timeline can vary based on oral health and bone graft material. Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial to the long-term success of the procedure. If you have further questions about Indirect Sinus Lifting, please contact us.

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