A sinus lift procedure is the manipulation of the cell membrane which occupies the floor of the sinus cavity, this cell membrane layer is comprised of cells that perform the important function of evacuating the sinus cavity of debris among other things.
Often times patients may present for a dental implant but do not have sufficient bone and therefore require some form of bone augmentation before implant placement.
In these patients the sinus may be augmented with bone either internally or externally, the internal sinus lift is differentiated from the external sinus lift by the approach to this sinus floor.
When the sinus is approached from the lateral wall of the maxilla this is referred to as an external sinus lift, otherwise approaching the sinus floor from the tooth socket is an internal sinus lift as depicted in the picture below.
In this case, the sinus floor along with the cell layer has been "bumped" up and grafted with autogenous graft material to augment the site along with implant placement.
This indirect or internal sinus elevation technique lifts the sinus membrane superiorly using several instruments and can be done with or without the use of grafting material.
Have questions about sinus lift? Speak with your provider to see if you are a candidate for the internal or external sinus lift procedure for bone augmentation.
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