Sinus Lift

What is a Sinus Lift?

The maxillary sinuses are behind your cheeks and on top of your upper teeth. These sinuses are empty, air-filled spaces that connect to your nasal cavity. Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. Dental implants need bone to hold them in place. When the sinus wall is very thin, it is impossible to place dental implants into this bone.


Am I a Candidate for a Sinus Lift Procedure?

A sinus lift may be necessary if you:

  • are missing teeth due to a birth defect or condition

How is this procedure Accomplished?

Most commonly, a small incision is made on the premolar or molar region to expose the jawbone. A small opening or “window” is cut into the bone, and the membrane lining the sinus is pushed upward. The underlying space is filled with bone grafting material, either from your own body or from another source. After the bone is implanted, the incision is sutured and the healing process begins. After several months of healing, the bone becomes part of the patient’s jaw and dental implants can be inserted and stabilized in the newly formed sinus bone.



A sinus augmentation is generally performed at Dr. Conquest‘s office under intravenous sedation, although a sinus lift can be comfortably completed with the use of local anesthesia alone. ConquestOMS_logo