Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_1. Is sinus lift surgery really necessary? What problems happen if you don’t do it?

Hello.

We are Seoul Dia Dental Clinic in Magok-dong, where we carefully and thoroughly look at everything from the basics.

When you receive implant consultation and hear this, you may freeze for a moment.

“Sinus lift surgery is necessary.”

You probably thought to yourself:

“An implant is already a big deal… what is this now…?”

Yes.

Even the word sounds scary. Haha.

So this naturally leads to the following questions.

Do I really need sinus lift surgery?

Can’t I just not do it?

If you’re curious, you should understand it properly. But let’s make it easy.

From now on, Seoul Dia Dental Clinic will explain that question in a simple way. Focus! Let’s get started.

Why does sinus lift surgery come up?

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Sinus

Sinus.

First, you need to know what this is, right? Haha.

Above the upper molars, there is an empty space called the “sinus.”

Simply put, it’s a structure with an air space on the upper side. It is originally an empty area.

But if a tooth was removed a long time ago or the jawbone has greatly shrunk, there may not be enough gum bone height to place a maxillary molar implant.

This is where the problem begins. What happens if you just place it when there isn’t enough bone?

It’s like hammering a nail into a place where a sponge has been laid down. At first, you might think, “Huh? It’s in? Looks fine.” But over time, it can gradually become loose.

It’s the same with implants. It’s not only about the initial placement; it has to last a long time, so sinus lift surgery is performed.

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Sinus lift surgery implant

The term sounds difficult, but the principle is simple.

It is a process of gently lifting the empty space above and helping bone grow underneath it.

In other words, we are doing the groundwork first.

When building a house, you don’t start with the second floor without a foundation, right? Haha.

Sinus lift surgery is not about making the surgery bigger;

it is about laying the foundation for long-term implant use.

Problems that can occur if you do not have sinus lift surgery

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Discomfort while chewing

What happens if you don’t do sinus lift surgery?

If you proceed as is when there is not enough bone, it may seem fine at first.

You may think, “Oh? It went well?” But differences can appear as time passes.

Initial stability may become weak, it may not receive force properly when chewing, it may not last long, and the possibility of inflammation or failure may increase.

Do you know what changes first when an implant starts to loosen?

Above all, chewing becomes uncomfortable.

Tough meat?

“Hmm… that feels a bit much today…” Dried squid?

“Hmm… let’s have it next time…”

You start avoiding one thing after another.

And that’s not the end. TT

When chewing power weakens, food is not broken down into small enough pieces, and that burden eventually goes to the stomach.

Is sinus lift surgery always necessary?

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_ Upper molar implant

That said, upper molar implant = always sinus lift surgery?

That’s not the case. Haha.

In reality, it is considered in cases such as these.

When a long time has passed since the upper molar was extracted, when gum bone has greatly decreased due to periodontal disease, when a CT scan shows that the bone height is lower than expected.

Even if things look fine on the outside, the bone height inside can be different. So we do not judge by intuition.

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Short implant

What if there is enough bone?

Then there is no need to do it.

If enough jawbone remains, a short implant may be possible.

In the end, this is the key point. It’s not about whether or not to have surgery, but about knowing the exact condition of your bone. That is the starting point.

Let’s summarize today’s post.

The upper molar area naturally has a thin bone structure.

As time passes after losing a tooth, the sinus may descend, which can further reduce bone height.

If you proceed forcefully in that state, implant stability may decrease.

Sinus lift surgery is not a procedure to increase surgery; it is a process of laying a foundation.

Just as it is common sense to check the foundation first when building a house. Haha.

With implants, you should think not only about the day they are placed, but also about 10 years later.

Seoul Dia Dental Clinic does not recommend it excessively. We check accurately with CT, and only guide you when it is necessary.

In the next post, we’ll honestly organize the question many people are curious about:

“Is sinus lift surgery dangerous? How serious are the side effects?”

I’ll come back with better information in March. Until now, this has been Seoul Dia Dental Clinic in Magok-dong.^^

[ This post was written in accordance with the Medical Service Act for the purpose of providing accurate information about dental surgery and procedures. Since infection and side effects may occur after surgery, you should decide on surgery (procedure) only after consulting thoroughly with a skilled medical professional. ]

[Seoul Dia Dental Clinic Sinus Lift Surgery Series 2]

1. The necessity of sinus lift surgery and the problems that occur if you don’t do it

2. The risks and side effects of sinus lift surgery

3. Cases where implants are possible without sinus lift surgery