Sinus Lifts & Bone Grafts

A dental bone graft is a procedure performed to increase the amount of bone in the portion of the jaw where bone has been lost or where additional support is needed.

There are three main types of dental bone grafting procedures: block bone grafting, socket grafting, and sinus lift. They all provide additional support to the jaw, depending on where it is needed.

A series of x-rays of the upper and lower jaw to determine if bone grafts are needed to safely place an implant are to be expected before the surgery. At Madison Dentistry & Implant Center, we use CBCT 3D scans and 2D panoramic x-rays for implant planning, wisdom teeth removal, early detection of gum disease and cysts and tumors in the jaw. This in-depth examination allows us to optimize and customize treatment plans based on the condition of the patient’s oral health.

The primary benefits of a dental bone graft include restoring bone mass and other oral structures to avoid future dental and orthodontic procedures, improving a patient’s overall appearance, and supporting the remaining teeth and jaw after tooth loss.

Bone grafts can also help support other dental restoration treatments such as crowns, implants, dentures, and bridges. This improves the function of any dental prosthesis in the long run.

A sinus lift is a surgical procedure in which the membrane at the bottom of the maxillary sinus is lifted to create a space that can be filled with enough bone to support dental implants in the posterior maxilla. The bone is added between the jaw and the sinuses which are located on either side of the nose. Sinus lifts are performed on patients who need dental implants but do not have enough bone to support them.

Thanks to the use of local anesthetics, patients undergoing sinus lift procedures experience no pain, although they may feel uncomfortable after the procedure. Sedation allows patients to be in a relaxed state throughout the procedure.

Sinus lift surgery in Madison, NJ, costs between $2,000 – $5,000 per side of the mouth. The final cost will depend on other factors such as the surgical approach, type of bone used, size and shape of the area to be worked on, x-rays and CT scans, and pain medication after surgery. Patients should contact their dental insurance provider to find out if they cover sinus lift surgery.

After a sinus lift, it takes about 3 to 6 months for the added bone to fuse with the bone of the sinus floor. Depending on the graft material used, implants can be placed after four to nine months. It is normal to experience swelling, discomfort, and light bleeding in your nose and mouth after the procedure.

At Madison Dentistry & Implant Center, we use our FDA Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapies to help patients heal faster after surgery and resume daily activities without complications. PRF can be used in dentistry to enhance tissue grafting, reduce pain and inflammation after surgery, and accelerate gum and bone healing after surgery.

Patients may experience pain, swelling, and bruising after a bone graft. These are normal symptoms that should subside in a few days but can be treated with painkillers and antibiotics. We also highly recommend regular dental checkups and follow-up appointments to allow the dentist to track the recovery.