THE PROCEDURE
A small membrane lifted, the bone height regained
The sinus lift addresses a specific anatomical reality of the upper jaw: above the back molars, a hollow air-filled cavity called the maxillary sinus sits very close to where an implant root would need to go. When that distance is too short, an implant cannot be placed without grafting bone underneath the sinus floor first.
The procedure raises the thin membrane lining the sinus floor (without perforating it), creates a small space underneath, and packs in graft material that will remodel into bone over four to six months. Once integrated, the area can support an implant that anchors solidly into the new bone.
Sinus lift is almost always done in preparation for dental implants in the upper back jaw, often as part of an All-On-X plan. When more general bone augmentation is also needed, we coordinate with bone grafting.
- Lateral or crestal approach depending on bone height available
- Resorbable collagen membrane to protect the sinus lining
- Synthetic or xenograft material based on the case
- 3D CBCT planning before any incision