Sinus Lift Procedure: A Key Step Towards Restoring your Smile

What Are the Potential Benefits of a Sinus Lift?

A Sinus Lift is a process that assists your body in rehabilitating a delicate area by restoring lost bone with your own natural bone. Techniques and materials used for this procedure have steadily improved over time, making the Sinus Lift one of the most successful and predictable bone grafting procedures performed in the mouth.

Additional potential benefits may include:

  • Reduced chance of damage to the sinuses during implant placement

  • Regrowth of your own new bone to restore lost bone

  • Creation of a suitable environment for implant placement

Will a Sinus Lift Cause Future Sinus Problems?

Sinus Lifts are common, routine procedures. When performed correctly, Sinus Lifts are not expected to affect your sinuses, breathing or allergies.

Why Do I Need a Sinus Lift Procedure?

A Sinus Lift is often required as a first step when placing a dental implant in the back of your upper jaw. When upper back teeth are lost, bone in that area naturally shrinks or resorbs over time. Consequently, your sinuses expand to occupy the empty space where the bone used to be. Because there is insufficient bone available to securely place the dental implant, the sinuses must be lifted in order to create space for placing additional bone in that area.

What Can I Expect from a Sinus Lift Procedure?

There are two types of Sinus Lift procedures available. Your procedure will depend on the amount of bone you have left. Prior to your procedure, your doctor will go over any pre-operative instructions you should follow, as well as any specifics about the surgical process.

The following general steps may be included:

  • A local anesthetic is applied to the surgical site.

  • A small opening is created in the bone to access the sinus cavity.

  • The sinus is gently lifted using a small instrument.

  • The grafting material is placed beneath the sinus membrane alongside the existing bone.

  • The grafting material is stabilized with a protective membrane and the gum tissue is closed with stitches.

  • Depending on the procedure you need, sometimes the implant can be placed simultaneously with the Sinus Lift.

  • Otherwise your doctor will allow approximately 4 to 9 months for healing before implant placement.