A sinus lift is a surgical bone-grafting procedure used in the back part of the upper jaw.
It may be considered when there is not enough bone height between the mouth and the maxillary sinus for the implant treatment being planned.
Why can bone be limited in this area?
The maxillary sinuses sit above the upper back teeth.
After teeth are lost, the bone in that area can reduce over time. The sinus space may also extend downward.
This can leave less bone available for an implant.
What happens during a sinus lift?
The exact technique varies.
In general, the clinician creates access to the area, carefully lifts the membrane lining the sinus and places graft material beneath it.
This increases the amount of bone available in the planned implant area.
Is the sinus itself filled with graft material?
The graft is placed beneath the sinus membrane, not throughout the sinus cavity.
The membrane is elevated to create space for the graft material.
Are implants placed at the same time?
Sometimes.
In some cases, implants can be placed during the same procedure.
In others, the graft is allowed to heal first and implants are placed later.
The choice depends on factors including the amount of existing bone, stability and the overall treatment plan.
Does everyone needing an upper implant require a sinus lift?
No.
Whether a sinus lift is needed depends on the anatomy and the proposed implant position.
Alternative implant positions, shorter implants or different restorative plans may sometimes be considered.
Only the treating clinician can determine what is appropriate for a particular case.
How is the need for a sinus lift assessed?
Clinical examination and imaging are used to evaluate the area.
Three-dimensional imaging such as CBCT may be used when appropriate to assess bone dimensions and the relationship to the sinus.
Does a sinus lift affect treatment time?
It can.
If the graft needs to heal before implant placement or before the next restorative stage, the treatment journey may be longer.
Ask the clinic whether the procedure is planned at the same time as implant placement and how it affects the expected number of visits and healing period.
Why does it matter on a quote?
A sinus lift may be:
- included in a package
- charged separately
- priced per side
- estimated initially and confirmed after imaging
- excluded from an initial remote quote
When comparing quotes, ask whether sinus grafting is included and what circumstances could change the price.
In simple terms
A sinus lift is a procedure that creates more bone volume beneath the maxillary sinus so that implant treatment can be considered in the upper back jaw.
It is not required for every upper implant patient.