Sinus Lift

What Is a Sinus Lift?

Are there alternative options to a sinus lift procedure?

Sometimes a shorter and wider implant can be placed as long as there is enough bone width. The rule of thumb is to place an implant with the largest surface area which could withstand mastication forces for that given location. A smaller implant is not always the better option, and it could fail prematurely if subjected to high mastication forces.  

How Is a Sinus Lift Performed?

The procedure is typically completed under local anesthesia. Depending on the amount of existing bone, your dental implant may be placed at the same appointment or after the graft has fully healed. During the procedure:

Types of Sinus Lift Procedures

Closed Sinus Lift:

This is suitable for those with slight to moderate bone loss who require a shallow lift of sinus membrane. The sinus is accessed and lifted through the implant site. In many cases, the dental implant can be placed during the same procedure. It is less invasive, faster, simpler and requires a shorter recovery time.

Open Sinus Lift:

The lateral window technique is the most common approach when a significant amount of additional bone is needed. A small window is created on the side of the upper jaw. The sinus membrane is gently lifted upward and bone graft material is placed into the new space under the sinus. The procedure is more technique sensitive, takes longer to complete and has a longer recovery time.

Where Does the Bone Graft Material Come From?

The bone material can come from:

Autograft (from your own body)
Bone is taken from another area of your own mouth or body. Because it comes from your own tissue, it contains living cells and has excellent healing potential.

Allograft (Donor human bone)
Processed donor bone obtained from accredited tissue banks. It serves as a natural scaffold that allows your own bone to regenerate over time.

Allograft (Donor human bone)
Processed donor bone obtained from accredited tissue banks. It serves as a natural scaffold that allows your own bone to regenerate over time.

Xenograft (Animal bone)
Highly purified mineral bone derived from bovine (cow) sources. It has been safely used in dentistry for many years and provides excellent long-term support while your own bone grows into the area.

Alloplast (Synthetic Bone) Laboratory-produced materials made from biocompatible minerals that closely resemble natural bone. These materials gradually integrate with your own bone during healing.

Will a sinus lift cause future sinus problems?

A sinus lift should not cause future sinus problems. It is a routine procedure with high success and low complication rates.

What is the success rate of a sinus lift?

The procedure has a 90-95% success rate. It depends on several factors, such as the surgeon’s skill, patient’s overall health and habit (smoking habits or diabetes), the quality of patient’s  bone and chosen graft material. Patient compliance following the post-surgical instructions is especially important to ensure proper healing. 

What Should I Expect During the Procedure?

Numbing: The area is numbed with local anesthesia similar to what you get for a filling or extraction

Accessing the Sinus: The surgeon makes a small opening depending on the type of sinus lift, carefully lifts the sinus membrane upward preparing it for the bone graft

Adding bone material: Bone graft material is gently placed into the new space under the lifted membrane. The area is closed with sutures. It will transform to healthy dense bone over the next 3-4 months

Closing the access area: Sutures are placed to close the site

What Should I Expect After the Procedure?

How Long Is The Healing Time?

Healing generally takes 4 to 6 months, depending on the amount of bone grafting required and your body’s natural healing response. Once adequate bone has developed, your dental implant can be placed if it was not inserted during the initial procedure.

Learn More

For additional information, visit the American Academy of Periodontology patient information page.