Bone augmentation & sinus lift

Thanks to bone augmentation, we can make implantation possible for every patient! Bone augmentation is a surgical procedure performed by dentists. It is necessary when the volume of the jawbone is not sufficient to anchor a dental implant securely in it. The volume of the jawbone and the bone density determine whether dental implants can be inserted. The more jawbone there is and the denser it is, the greater the chances of success for implantation.

In the upper jaw in particular, the cause is usually that the sinus cavity grows until around the age of 20. One option in this case would be a sinus lift, this means the sinus is carefully lifted and filled with bone replacement material. Another reason can be that the bone regressed after a tooth extraction. In the lower jaw, the problem usually lies in the thickness of the bone and the nerve located there (mandibular nerve). 

During bone augmentation, we use a biocompatible material called Bio-Oss, which is well accepted by the body. This assists in bone growth, which is necessary for the implant treatment. 

The sinus lift procedure can be described as a bone window that is opened from the mouth to the sinus. The sinus remains closed due to the soft tissue along the sinus walls. This soft tissue is movable and can therefore be used as a kind of tent. The tent is filled with Bio-Oss and then the window is closed. This is followed by a healing period of at least 4 months. After successful healing, implants can be inserted. Even after a normal tooth extraction, an immediate bone augmentation treatment is sometimes recommended to enable even better implant treatment. 

With the help of an X-ray, we can estimate the need for bone augmentation in most cases before treatment. However, certain factors only become clear when the bone is revealed during implant treatment. If the bone mass is insufficient, we either choose a bone augmentation procedure together with implant placement or start with only a bone augmentation procedure. Once everything has healed, the implant can be inserted.