A sinus lift, sometimes called a sinus augmentation, is a treatment that may be needed to add bone to the upper jaw in the area of the back teeth (molars and premolars) to enable successful implant placement. The maxillary sinuses are located above the upper jawbone on either side of your nose. When a tooth has been lost from the upper jaw, there may not be sufficient bone structure in the sinus region to place a dental implant. Tooth loss also leads to bone loss because the bone begins to be resorbed once the teeth have been lost or removed. Teeth that have been missing for a longer period of time or bone loss due to periodontal disease may further contribute to lack of bone for implant placement.

To supplement the bone structure and allow for the successful placement of a dental implant, our oral and maxillofacial surgeons may recommend a sinus lift. During this procedure, we gently lift the sinus membrane and push it up and away from the jaw. We then add bone grafting material in the area where the sinus was to add to the bone structure.

We typically allow a healing period of four to nine months after this procedure so that the grafted material can mesh with the natural bone. The dental implant can then be placed to replace the missing tooth. For more information about whether a sinus lift is right for your oral health needs, we invite you to contact us today.