If we are placing an implant into your upper jaw, a sinus lift (or sinus augmentation) may be required. This will be determined at the consultation appointment. A panoramic x-ray will be taken to evaluate the anatomy of your maxillary jaw and sinus areas.

The sinus lift is surgery that adds bone to your upper jaw in the area of your molars and premolars to make it taller. The bone is added between your jaw and the maxillary sinuses, which are on either side of your nose. To make room for the bone, the sinus membrane has to be moved upward, or "lifted."

There are a few different techniques that are used when performing a sinus augmentation procedure. The following is the the most common:

The Lateral Window approach which is when the window in the buccal bone is opened. An incision is made in the gum tissue near your premolars and molars. The tissue is raised, exposing the bone. The sinus membrane is then carefully detached from the walls of the sinus with the use of various curettes. Granules of bone-graft material are then packed into the space where the sinus was. The amount of bone used will vary, but usually several millimeters of bone is added above the jaw. Once the bone is in place, the tissue is stitched closed.

Follow-Up

After the procedure, you may have some swelling of the area, and may bleed from your mouth or nose. You should not blow your nose or sneeze, because these activities can cause the bone-graft material to move, and can cause the stitches to loosen.

If you have seasonal allergies, you should schedule the procedure when they are not active. You also will be given pain medication and an antibiotic to help prevent infection. Most patients have only a little discomfort after a sinus-lift procedure.

You will return to our office after 7 days to have the sutures removed and monitor your healing. There will be a couple of routine checks to evaluate the healing process.

When will the implant post be placed?

Your implants will be placed three to six months later. This allows time for the grafted material to mesh with your bone.