When is a Sinus Lift Procedure Necessary?
Dental implants need strong, healthy bone to stay secure. If you don’t have enough bone height in your upper jaw, or if your sinuses sit too close to the jaw, we may recommend a sinus lift to create the foundation needed for implants.
But why does bone loss happen? There are several common causes:
- Tooth loss: When a tooth is missing or extracted, the jawbone in that area no longer receives stimulation and begins to shrink. Over time, the bone can resorb back into the body.
- Periodontal (gum) disease: If left untreated, gum disease can spread beneath the gums, damaging both the teeth and the supporting bone.
- Oral pathology: Growths such as cysts or tumors in the jaw can weaken or destroy bone.
- Bone resorption after tooth loss: Even without disease, the body naturally reabsorbs unused bone over time.
By restoring lost bone in the upper jaw, a sinus lift makes it possible to securely place dental implants, helping ensure a healthy, functional, and long-lasting smile.
Sinus Lift Procedure & Implant Timing
Typically, during a sinus lift, our surgeons make a small opening in the gum and bone to gently lift the sinus membrane. The space created is then filled with bone graft material, which helps rebuild the bone and provide a strong foundation for implants.
After the graft is placed, the area is closed and left to heal. In most cases, it takes about 4 to 12 months for the bone to develop enough to support implants, though sometimes implants can be placed at the same time as the sinus lift. Healing times vary depending on your needs.
This procedure greatly improves the success rate of dental implants, and most patients report only mild discomfort during recovery.