A sinus lift is a specialized bone-grafting procedure used to create additional bone in the upper back portion of the jaw when there is not enough bone height to support a dental implant.
Following the loss of upper molars, the jawbone can shrink and the maxillary sinus can expand into the space previously occupied by the tooth roots.
During a sinus lift, the sinus membrane is carefully elevated and bone-grafting material is placed beneath it, creating additional bone where an implant can eventually be supported. Depending on the amount of bone available and the patient’s anatomy, the implant may be placed at the same time as the sinus lift or after the graft has healed.
Dr. Kelleher uses modern techniques designed to make sinus augmentation as predictable and minimally invasive as possible. For patients who have previously been told they do not have enough bone for an implant, a sinus lift may provide another option for restoring missing teeth.
Depending on the amount of bone needed, the implant may be placed immediately or after approximately 4–8 months of healing.
