Dental Encyclopedia · Implants
Sinus Lift
Sinus Lift / Sinus Augmentation
A sinus lift is a pre-implant procedure that lifts the membrane of the empty space above the upper jaw (the maxillary sinus) and augments the bone when there is not enough jawbone in the upper molar area. It is known to be performed with the aim of making implant placement possible when bone height is insufficient.
In plain terms
Put simply, inside the upper jaw there is an empty air chamber called the maxillary sinus, and when the floor of this chamber sits low, the bone is thin and there is not enough room to place an implant. The procedure gently lifts the membrane at the floor of that chamber and packs bone underneath it to create room for placement.
Upper molars sit close to the maxillary sinus, so jawbone height is often insufficient there. In such cases the sinus membrane is carefully lifted and bone graft material is packed into the space to secure enough bone height to support an implant.
Approaches are broadly divided into the lateral approach, in which a window is opened at the side of the gum, and the crestal approach, in which the membrane is lifted through the implant placement channel. The method is decided according to the amount and the location of the missing bone.
A sinus lift is a surgical procedure accompanied by bone grafting, and it can be carried out at the same time as placement or as a separate stage. Planning it after checking the shape of the sinus and the condition of the bone precisely with CT is known to be important for safety.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
- Q. Do I have to have a sinus lift?
- It is a procedure considered when the jawbone height in the upper molar area is not enough to support an implant. Whether it is needed and which method is used vary with bone condition, so we advise you after confirming the shape of the sinus and the bone height through CT diagnosis.
This entry is for general information. Diagnosis and treatment depend on individual conditions.