If you’ve been told you need a sinus lift before having a dental implant, you’re not alone, and you’re in the right place.
At Smile Society, we carry out sinus lift procedures as part of our advanced implant pathway, helping patients who might otherwise be told they don’t have enough bone to support an implant. Understanding what the procedure involves and why it’s needed can make a significant difference to how you feel going into treatment.
A sinus lift, also called a sinus augmentation or sinus graft, is a surgical procedure that increases the volume of bone in the upper jaw, specifically in the area behind the upper premolar and molar teeth. It’s carried out in preparation for dental implant placement, typically several months before the implant itself is inserted.
Despite the name, it has nothing to do with cosmetic surgery. It is a well-established, predictable procedure performed by trained dental clinicians, and it plays a vital role in ensuring that implants placed in this region of the mouth have the stable bone foundation they need to succeed.
At Smile Society, we believe that missing teeth should never be a permanent situation if you don’t want them to be. Even complex cases, including those requiring bone augmentation, can be resolved with the right expertise and a clear plan.
Dental implants depend entirely on healthy, sufficient bone to integrate and function long-term. In the upper back region of the jaw, two challenges can reduce the available bone height and make implant placement difficult or impossible without preparation.
The procedure is carried out in our clinic under local anaesthetic; no hospital visit is required, and it typically takes around one hour.
Here is what to expect at each stage:
The vast majority of patients find recovery from sinus lift surgery to be straightforward, with only mild discomfort in the days that follow.
We’ll provide you with a saline nasal spray to keep the inner nasal lining moist and help the area heal comfortably, along with any medication needed to minimise swelling and reduce the risk of infection.
A sinus lift is not an obstacle, it’s part of a planned, carefully staged journey towards a confident, functional smile. Once the graft has healed fully, dental implants can be placed into the augmented bone with the same predictability as in patients who never needed a lift at all.
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A sinus lift is performed to create the bone volume necessary for a successful dental implant in the upper back jaw. When teeth in this area are missing, the bone can shrink relatively quickly, and the maxillary sinuses can simultaneously drop lower, leaving insufficient space for an implant to be securely anchored.
Without adequate bone, the long-term success of an implant becomes unpredictable. A sinus lift restores that bone height, making implant placement both safe and reliable.
There are several reasons a patient may need sinus lift surgery before proceeding with an upper jaw implant.
The most common cause is bone loss following tooth extraction.
When teeth in the upper back region have been missing for several months or more, bone deterioration in this area can be significant and rapid, leaving too little height to support an implant safely.
Enlarged sinuses can also be a factor. Conditions such as chronic sinusitis, as well as natural anatomical variation, can cause the sinuses to take up more space in the jaw, positioning them too close to where an implant would need to be placed. A sinus lift creates the necessary clearance.
Age is another consideration. As we get older, the nasal lining becomes thinner, and the sinus cavities can expand, which may increase susceptibility to the issues described above and make pre-implant bone augmentation more likely to be needed.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the surgery itself.
Some tenderness and mild swelling in the days following are normal, and we’ll prescribe appropriate medication to help manage this. Most patients describe the recovery as more manageable than they anticipated.
After the sinus lift, the grafting material typically needs three to five months to integrate fully with the surrounding bone before implant placement can take place.
We’ll monitor your progress carefully throughout this period and confirm when you’re ready to proceed.
We use either a mineralised bone-derived grafting material or a high-quality synthetic grafting compound. Both are well-established options with strong clinical track records.
We’ll discuss which is most appropriate for you as part of your treatment planning.
It is a surgical procedure, but it is carried out here at Smile Society under local anaesthetic, not in a hospital or under general anaesthesia.
It’s a well-rehearsed, predictable procedure that generally takes around an hour, and most patients return to normal daily activities within a day or two.
We understand that the prospect of oral surgery can feel daunting. If anxiety is a concern, sedation is available at Smile Society to help you feel calm and comfortable throughout.
Please let us know at your consultation, and we’ll make sure the right support is in place for you.
As with any surgical procedure, there are small associated risks, including the possibility of infection or, in rare cases, the graft not integrating as expected.
However, sinus lifts are a highly predictable procedure when carried out by experienced clinicians, and we take every precaution to optimise your outcome. We’ll discuss any individual risk factors with you fully at your consultation.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule your appointment today and let our friendly team care for your smile.
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