What You Need to Know About Sinus Lifting
As your dentist, my goal is to help you understand every step of your dental treatment. One procedure that often surprises patients is sinus lifting. While the name may sound a bit intimidating, it's a safe and effective treatment that helps prepare your upper jaw for dental implants when there’s not enough bone. Let me explain what it is, why it’s necessary, and what you can expect.
What Is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift, also known as sinus augmentation, is a surgical procedure that adds bone to your upper jaw in the area of your molars and premolars. The bone is added between your jaw and the maxillary sinuses, which are located on either side of your nose. To make room for this bone, the sinus membrane is gently pushed upward—hence the term “lift.”
Why Is a Sinus Lift Needed?
After tooth loss in the upper back jaw, the bone often resorbs over time, and the sinus may expand downward. This leaves insufficient bone height to place a dental implant securely. A sinus lift increases the amount of bone in this area, creating a stable foundation for future implants.
Whether you lost teeth many years ago, have naturally thinner bone, or had bone loss due to periodontal disease, sinus lifting may be necessary to move forward with your implant treatment plan.
How Is the Procedure Done?
The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia and, if needed, sedation for your comfort. We begin by creating a small window in the bone to access the sinus cavity. Then, the sinus membrane is lifted, and bone graft material is placed into the space. Over the next several months, your body will naturally integrate the graft material and form new bone.
Is It Painful?
Most patients are surprised at how little discomfort they experience after the procedure. You may have some swelling or a feeling of pressure in the sinus area for a few days, but this can be easily managed with medications and rest. We'll give you detailed post-operative instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
Healing and Implant Placement
After a sinus lift, it typically takes about 4 to 9 months for the bone to fully heal and be ready for implant placement. In some cases, implants can be placed at the same time as the sinus lift, depending on how much natural bone you have to begin with.
Final Thoughts
While a sinus lift is a specialized surgical procedure, it has become routine in modern implant dentistry. It opens the door for many patients who were once told they weren’t candidates for implants. If you’ve been considering dental implants and have been told there’s not enough bone, don’t worry—this procedure could be the key to restoring your smile.
Your comfort and confidence are our priority, and we're with you every step of the way.