A sinus augmentation, commonly known as a sinus lift, is a dental procedure carried out when the floor of the sinus is too close to the area where dental implants are to be placed. Without this additional support, attempting to place implants could result in failure, discomfort, or other complications. The sinus lift procedure adds bone to the upper jaw, creating a secure foundation for implants while protecting the sinus cavity.
The maxillary sinuses are air-filled spaces located in the facial bones, above your upper back teeth and beneath your eyes. (They are the ones that typically fill with mucus when you have a head cold.) If an upper tooth is lost beneath the sinus and no bone grafting is done at the time of extraction, the sinus can gradually expand into the space previously occupied by the tooth root. This leaves insufficient bone to anchor an implant securely.
In cases where bone volume is lacking, we can perform a sinus lift by gently reshaping the sinus floor and placing a bone graft material into the space. There are two main methods for doing this:
An internal (osteotome) approach, suitable for smaller grafts
An external (lateral window or Caldwell-Luc) approach, used when a larger volume of bone is required
There’s no need to be concerned — Dr Arman Barfeie regularly performs sinus lift procedures with excellent outcomes. The risk of complications is very low, and he is always happy to explain the process and answer any questions you may have.
