Sinus Lift (Sinus Augmentation)
Creating the Foundation for Dental Implants in the Upper Jaw
What is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is a specialized bone grafting procedure designed to increase bone height in the upper jaw—specifically in the area of the molars and premolars—by gently lifting the floor of the sinus cavity and placing bone graft material underneath.
This procedure is often necessary because the maxillary sinuses, located just above your back teeth, are hollow, air-filled spaces. After upper molars are removed, there is often only a thin layer of bone left between the sinus and the mouth—too thin to securely support a dental implant. A sinus lift creates enough bone height to safely and predictably place dental implants by encouraging new bone growth in this area.
Why Might I Need a Sinus Lift?
- You are missing one or more back teeth in the upper jaw.
- There is significant bone loss in the upper jaw due to long-term tooth loss or periodontal disease.
- Your sinus floor is naturally low, reducing available bone height.
- You were born with a condition that affected jaw or tooth development.
- You are considering implants but were told you do not have enough bone in your jaw.
How is the Procedure Performed?
- Accessing the Sinus – A small incision is made in the premolar or molar region to expose the underlying jawbone.
- Creating a Window – A tiny window is made in the bone, and the sinus membrane is gently lifted upward to create space beneath it.
- Placing the Graft – Bone graft material (from a donor source or synthetic material) is then packed into the space created below the lifted membrane.
- Healing Phase – The area is sutured, and healing begins. Over several months, your body integrates the graft, creating strong, stable bone ready to support dental implants.
When Can Implants Be Placed?
- If some bone is already present (at least a few millimeters), implants may be placed at the same time as the sinus lift.
- If there is not enough existing bone, the sinus lift is done first, and implant placement is delayed until the bone graft has fully healed—typically 4 to 9 months.
Why Is This Procedure Important?
Before sinus lift techniques were developed, patients with insufficient bone in the upper jaw had few options beyond removable dentures. Today, sinus augmentation makes it possible for many patients to receive secure, long-lasting implants—even if tooth loss occurred many years ago. At Carolina Oral & Facial Surgery, P.A., Dr. Williams and our surgical team use advanced techniques and 3D imaging to precisely plan and perform your sinus augmentation.