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Sinus elevation
Height where the
upper jaw runs out of it.
Behind the upper canines, the jaw is separated from the maxillary sinus by a floor that can be only a few millimeters thick — and it thins further once a tooth is lost. A sinus lift creates the height an implant needs.
Why patients come here
- Practice limited to prosthodontics and oral implantology
- Every case CBCT-scanned and fully guided
- IV conscious sedation available in-office
- A written, itemized plan before anything is scheduled
The procedure
The membrane is lifted, not perforated.
The sinus is lined by a thin membrane. In a sinus elevation that membrane is carefully raised off the bony floor and graft material is placed into the space created underneath. The sinus itself is not entered; nothing is placed inside it.
There are two routes. The crestal approach works through the implant site itself and suits smaller gains of a few millimeters — often done at the same appointment as the implant. The lateral window approach opens a small access on the side of the jaw and is used for larger gains, usually with a healing period before the implant goes in.
Which one applies is decided from the CBCT scan: residual height, membrane thickness, the presence of septa, and whether the sinus shows any existing pathology.
Timeline
Lateral window, staged.
Scan and plan
Residual bone height measured, septa and membrane assessed, approach chosen.
Visit 1Elevation
Membrane raised and graft placed under local anesthetic or IV sedation. 60–90 minutes.
Visit 2Maturation
The graft consolidates. Re-imaged before the implant stage.
6–9 monthsImplant placement
Guided placement into the newly built height, then the usual integration period.
Visit 3Questions
Sinus lift specifics.
Is it painful?
Less than most people expect. It is done under local anesthetic, with IV sedation available. The recovery resembles a graft: swelling for a few days, managed with prescribed medication.
Will it affect my breathing or sinuses?
No. The graft sits below the sinus lining, in what was previously bone. Sinus function is not altered. You will be asked to avoid blowing your nose forcefully and to sneeze with your mouth open for a couple of weeks.
What if the membrane tears?
Small perforations are a recognized event and are repaired with a collagen patch during the procedure. Larger ones mean stopping, allowing healing, and returning — inconvenient, not dangerous.
Can the implant go in at the same time?
With the crestal approach and adequate residual height, frequently yes. With a lateral window and minimal residual bone, the graft is usually allowed to mature first.
What if I have a history of sinus problems?
Chronic sinusitis or significant pathology on the scan is assessed first, and sometimes referred to an ENT colleague before implant planning proceeds.
Start with a scan and a straight answer.
A consultation includes an examination, a 3D scan and a written, itemized plan. If implants are not the right treatment for you, we will say so and tell you what is.