Sinus Augmentation (Sinus Lift)

There are three main steps when you seek a sinus lift surgery at Dr. Claire Benmergui Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic. They include:

Step 1: Initial Consultation & Preparation

If you contact us for dental implants but don’t have adequate bone mass, you will go through an initial consultation with Dr. Claire Benmergui. This consultation will involve a discussion about dental implants and a sinus lift. Your teeth and gum tissue will also be examined followed by X-rays and tomography scans to establish your jawbone health.

Step 2: Sinus Lift Procedure

Step one reveals important information needed to proceed with the procedure. Different surgical techniques can be taken during sinus augmentation with the ideal approach dependent on your bone volume and type of bone graft that will be used.

Our able dentist will use the most innovative technique and consider other factors i.e., if you’ll need a dental implant in the future. During the procedure, the dentist will numb the treatment area using a local anesthetic or administer an intravenous or oral sedative. Patients are therefore assured of a comfortable and painless surgical procedure.

Surgery involves making incisions into the gum to expose the bone. A small area of the jawbone is usually cut carefully avoiding the sinus membranes. The cut portion is then lifted carefully into the sinus cavity to raise the membrane. Bone grafting material will then be applied to the newly lifted section.

The bone graft can be sourced from another part of the body. Synthetic materials can also be used. You should have discussed the best type of graft material to use for your procedure in step 1. The procedure ends when sutures are applied to the treatment area to close the incisions on the gums.

How Long Does a Sinus Lift Take?

Typical sinus augmentation procedures take 45 minutes – to 2 hours to complete depending on factors like complexity (4). 

Since other factors may come into play, we suggest you book a consultation for a more accurate estimate of how long your procedure will take.

Step 3: Recovery After a Sinus Lift

All patients get detailed instructions to guide them in the healing process. You’ll get information on what to expect i.e., some swelling, discomfort, and other common sinus lift side effects, and what you should do. Generally, the common side effects last a few days and patients are able to resume normal daily activities in no time.

You can expect to be given some painkillers to relieve any pain and antibiotics to avoid infection. You’ll also get important information i.e., precautions to adhere to such as avoiding vigorous sneezing, chewing, and blowing your nose, among other similar actions that can affect the bone graft placement and increase risk of complications.

You need to return for a review as required i.e. a few weeks to a week after surgery (or immediately) if you experience severe symptoms like excessive pain, blood clots and bleeding that is difficult to control.

How Long Will It Take to Heal After a Sinus Lift?

After sinus lift surgery, it takes 4-12 months of healing to be ready for successful implant placement. However, there are cases where dental implants can be placed immediately after a sinus lift (5). Discover how long it will take for your case.