Sinus lift is a surgery that adds bones to your upper jaw when you have insufficient bone in your premolar and molar region for the placement of dental implants. It is done by lifting the membrane of the maxillary sinus followed by placement of bone grafts. Bone formation takes about a period of 6 months, when sufficient bone is formed in that region, regular dental implants are placed in the newly formed bone.

When do I need Sinus lift procedures?

When upper back teeth (premolars and molars) are lost, bone in that area naturally shrinks or resorbs over time. Consequently, your maxillary sir sinuses expand to occupy the empty space where the bone used to be.
The membrane lining the sinus is lifted in the procedure, to place synthetic bone in order to secure the implant.

How long does the procedure take and how is it performed?

The procedure will take anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hour. It is performed by an appropriately trained dentist or dental specialist. It can be performed in the dentist’s office with local anesthesia or under sedation or ven general anesthesia.
Your surgeon will make a cut in the gum where your back teeth used to be. A small window is then opened in the bone. The lining of the sinus is gently raised and and bone graft material are then packed into the space between the sinus lining and the jaw bone. Once the bone is in place, the gum is closed with dissolvable stitches.

Where does the Graft bone come from?

Bone grafts may be obtained another part of your own body ( from your jaws or hip region), but this requires additional surgery.
Synthetic bone grafts are also available these days. They are safe to use and are widely used these days.
Read more about Bone grafts in Bone grafts

Is Bone grafting always a necessary while doing sinus lift procedures?

Bone grafting is not always necessary while performing sinus lift procedures. I t depends upon the amount of available bone in the jaw to place the implants. There have been few experimental studies which say once the sinus lining is raised and a compartment is created and left void, the bone will automatically form. The mechanism of this is not proven though.

What are the complications I get after a Sinus Lift Procedure?

As with all surgery there is a risk of pain, swelling, bruising, bleeding and infection. Membrane perforation, sinusitis and graft rejection are the common complications.

Can Implants be placed immediately or to be placed after some time?

You generally have to wait for 3-6 months for the bone formation to occur for the placement of Implants.
Sometimes if adequate bone is available after sinus lift procedure , implants can be placed immediately.

Will my teeth be fixed immediately following the sinus lift surgery?

No, your teeth will be fixed only after sufficient bone is formed and the implant gets anchored to bone rigidly.

Are there any ways I can avoid this sinus lift procedures?

Yes!! There are other alternative techniques available to sinus lift procedures like Zygoma Implants and All on 4 Technique, but it is usually done when there are multiple teeth are missing.