Sinus Elevation (Lifting)

The maxillary sinuses are air filled cavities behind your cheeks and above the upper back teeth. They are lined with thin skin-like membranes and may extend in close proximity to or around the roots of teeth. As a result, the removal or loss of these teeth may result in limited height of bone available to secure dental implants. Ridge preservation can minimize the need for sinus lifting or make it a more simplified procedure. However, some sinus cavities are so large that a separate procedure is required prior to implant placement.

In either case, the skin membrane of the sinus is gently elevated (lifted) upwards to create more space for implants. This new space is supported by the placement of a bone graft which is done either concurrent with implant placement (8-12 weeks of maturation) or independently prior to implant placement (approximately 4-6 months of maturation). As with the other bone grafting procedures, this new bone becomes your own and responds favorably to implant placement and restoration.

Sinus elevation is common and allows for implant restoration of upper back teeth that are individually or collectively critical for function and health.