Oral Surgery · Washington DC
When there is not enough bone height in the upper jaw for implants, a sinus lift gently raises the sinus floor and adds bone material to create a solid foundation.
Why a Sinus Lift
The maxillary sinus sits directly above the upper back teeth. When those teeth are lost, two things happen: the bone beneath them shrinks, and the sinus cavity expands downward. This leaves too little bone height between the mouth and the sinus to safely anchor an implant.
A sinus lift corrects this. The sinus membrane is gently elevated and bone graft material is placed beneath it. Over several months, the graft matures into solid bone, creating the height needed for implant placement.
You May Need a Sinus Lift If
The Procedure
Cone-beam CT measures the distance between the ridge crest and the sinus floor. This determines how much bone height needs to be added.
Under local anesthesia or sedation, a small window is created in the lateral sinus wall. The sinus membrane is gently lifted upward from the bone floor.
Bone graft material fills the space between the elevated membrane and the existing bone floor. The access site is closed with sutures.
The graft integrates over 6 to 9 months. Once mature, the new bone supports implant placement with the same stability as natural bone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sinus lifts have a long track record. The most common complication is a small tear in the sinus membrane, which is repaired during the same procedure. Serious complications are rare. Our oral surgeon performs this procedure regularly with advanced imaging guidance.
No. The sinus membrane is lifted, not removed. The sinus continues to function normally. You may experience mild congestion for a few days after surgery, similar to a mild cold. We advise avoiding blowing your nose forcefully for about two weeks.
If there is at least 4 to 5mm of existing bone height, the implant can often be placed simultaneously with the sinus lift. This reduces your total treatment time. If there is less bone than that, the graft must mature first before the implant is placed in a separate procedure.
Ready?
Schedule a consultation. A cone-beam CT scan will show exactly how much bone height you have and whether a sinus lift can get you to implant-ready.