What is a Sinus Lift Procedure?
When replacing upper premolars and molars, we often find that the sinus is too close to allow for safe implant placement. In these cases, a special type of bone grafting procedure is necessary to gain more space to place an implant without damaging the sinus.
When there is not enough bone to allow implant placement, a surgeon may gently lift the sinus membrane at the time of implant surgery with water or a non-cutting instrument. Particulate bone graft or PRF is then used to fill this space, followed by placement of an implant. The video below demonstrates when and how the procedure is done.
The “vertical” sinus lift procedure, demonstrated above, allows for the placement of an implant at the same time. In cases of severe bone deficiency, a larger sinus lift procedure, called a lateral sinus lift, can be performed. This allows the re-building of the jaw bone below the sinus and the subsequent placement of implants several months later.
