Sinus lift or sinus augmentation

Sinus lift surgery or sinus augmentation is a safe and painless surgical procedure that elevates the floor of the patient’s sinuses. This is done to make room for dental implants in the bone structure. Especially in patients who have lost the back teeth in their upper row, there may not be sufficient bone to place the dental implant.

To understand how sinus lifts work, you have to know what sinuses are. When most people say “sinuses,” they are talking about their noses and airways without knowing much more about their structure. These air-filled passages (above the molars and below the eyes), contain a bone lined with a thin membrane. This is what needs to be moved if a bone graft is needed to secure a dental implant in your maxilla (upper jaw).

During the lift procedure, this membrane and bone are raised to make room for the bone graft at the back of the upper jaw as well as the implant(s). The sinus lift and implant placement can be done on the same day if the provider is qualified. In some cases, dental restoration will have to wait 6-12 months after the sinus lift surgery. Our team of dental specialists would be happy to provide more information on sinus augmentation to help you figure out whether the treatment is the right option for your situation.