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A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation, is a bone-grafting procedure that may be recommended when there is not enough bone in the upper back jaw to support a dental implant.
The maxillary sinuses are air-filled spaces located above the upper back teeth. After tooth loss, the bone in this area can become thinner, and the sinus may occupy more of the space that was previously supported by the tooth roots.
When there is insufficient bone height for an implant, a sinus lift can help create additional bone between the jaw and the sinus.
Santiago Oaks Oral Surgery provides oral and maxillofacial surgical care in Orange, CA, including bone-grafting procedures that may support future dental implant treatment.
A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that gently raises the floor of the maxillary sinus and places bone-grafting material in the space created between the sinus lining and the jawbone.
The goal is to increase the amount of available bone in the upper posterior jaw so a dental implant can have an appropriate foundation.
AAOMS describes sinus augmentation as a procedure that adds bone between the jaw and the maxillary sinus when insufficient bone is available for implant placement.
A sinus lift may be considered when you need a dental implant in the upper back jaw but do not have sufficient bone height.
Common contributing factors include:
The need for a sinus lift can only be determined after evaluating your individual anatomy.
When an upper back tooth is lost, the surrounding alveolar bone can gradually decrease in volume.
At the same time, the maxillary sinus may extend downward into the space that was previously occupied by the roots of the teeth.
This combination can leave less vertical bone available for dental implant placement.
A sinus lift addresses this specific anatomical challenge by creating additional space for bone formation.
There are different approaches to sinus augmentation.
The technique selected depends on how much additional bone is needed and the anatomy of the surgical site.
With a lateral approach, the surgeon accesses the sinus through the side of the upper jaw. A small opening is created in the bone, allowing the sinus lining to be carefully elevated.
Grafting material is then placed beneath the elevated membrane.
In cases where only a smaller amount of additional height is needed, a crestal approach may be appropriate.
Access is made through the area where the implant is planned, and specialized instruments are used to elevate the sinus floor before grafting material is introduced.
AAOMS identifies both lateral and vertical approaches to sinus augmentation and explains that the selected technique depends on the clinical situation.
Sometimes.
Whether implant placement and sinus augmentation can be performed during the same procedure depends on the amount and quality of bone already present.
If sufficient existing bone can provide initial implant stability, simultaneous treatment may be possible in selected cases.
If more substantial bone development is needed, the sinus lift may be completed first and allowed to heal before implant placement.
Your imaging and examination will determine which sequence is appropriate.
Different bone-grafting materials may be used during sinus augmentation.
Depending on the treatment plan, materials can include:
The appropriate material depends on the surgical requirements and the surgeon’s assessment.
After surgery, the grafted area needs time to heal and develop a stable bone foundation.
Your postoperative instructions may include specific precautions designed to protect the surgical site and minimize pressure or irritation around the sinus area.
Follow-up appointments allow your oral surgeon to monitor healing and determine when the site is ready for the next stage of implant treatment.
The healing timeline varies based on the surgical technique, the amount of grafting required, and individual healing factors.
A sinus lift is performed using anesthesia, with sedation options considered when appropriate.
Some tenderness, swelling, or pressure can occur after surgery. Your surgical team will provide instructions for managing normal postoperative symptoms and protecting the treatment area.
Contact the office if you experience symptoms that are severe, worsening, or outside the expectations provided by your surgical team.
No.
Many patients have enough bone in the upper jaw to receive implants without sinus augmentation.
A sinus lift is considered only when the available bone height and anatomy indicate that additional support may be necessary.
Dental imaging is an important part of determining whether the procedure is appropriate.
If you have been told that you do not have enough bone for an upper back dental implant, a sinus lift may be one treatment option.
Santiago Oaks Oral Surgery provides bone-grafting and dental implant-related surgical care in Orange, CA. Dr. Beau McKenzie Soares, DDS can evaluate your jawbone and sinus anatomy and develop an individualized surgical plan when augmentation is appropriate.
Schedule a consultation with Santiago Oaks Oral Surgery to discuss sinus lift surgery and your dental implant options.
