When you attend your initial dental implant consultation, your dentist or oral surgeon will consider several factors before they can design your unique treatment plan. If they notice that your upper jaw is too thin or weak to support implants, you might need to undergo a surgery known as a sinus lift. What exactly is a sinus lift, and what benefits can it offer you as a dental implant patient? This blog post explains.
What Is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is a specialized dental bone grafting procedure that is designed to increase the height and volume of your upper jawbone. During the process, your oral surgery team will carefully access the sinus membrane through the upper jaw and gently move it upward. Once the membrane has been raised, your provider will place bone graft material — either natural or synthetic — beneath the lifted membrane. This graft material adds volume and stability, making your jaw capable of supporting dental implants.
Without a sinus lift, a dental implant might penetrate your sinus membrane, which can be a very uncomfortable complication.
Why You Might Need a Sinus Lift
Not every patient who wants dental implants in their upper jaw will require a sinus lift. However, you may need this procedure if any of the following apply to you:
- Previous Tooth Loss: If your natural teeth have been missing for an extended period, your jawbone may have already diminished in size. This reduction in bone volume often means a graft is necessary before placing implants.
- Large Sinuses: Genetic factors or the natural aging process can result in larger sinus cavities, reducing available bone height for implants.
- Jawbone Injury: Any trauma or injury to the upper jaw can weaken the bone, making additional support from a sinus lift essential for implant success.
During your dental implant consultation, your provider will likely use advanced imaging techniques, such as X-rays or CBCT scans, to evaluate your jawbone and determine whether a sinus lift is necessary for you.
What to Expect from the Procedure
The sinus lift procedure is considered routine and is performed with your comfort in mind. Local anesthesia or sedation will keep you relaxed and comfortable during the surgery.
Following the procedure, you may experience mild swelling and soreness in the treated area. Your care team will provide detailed aftercare instructions to promote a smooth recovery process. The soft tissue at your surgical site will likely heal within one to two weeks, while the bone itself requires more time — usually between 4 – 6 months — to fully integrate the grafted material. Once healing is complete, your jaw should be strong enough to support dental implants.
While the need for a sinus lift may extend your overall treatment timeline, this procedure can be crucial in creating a stable foundation for your dental implants. You can be grateful for its role in your tooth replacement journey!
Meet the Practice
At Piney Point Dental Implant Center, Drs. Steve Koo, Thomas Weil, and William Shepard work together to provide a broad range of advanced dental implant services, including sinus lift surgery. If you are ready to get started on replacing your missing teeth, our team can consult with you and help you understand the road ahead. Contact our Houston office at 713-597-7340.