Precision Periodontics operatory ready for a procedure

Dental Implants

Sinus Lift

Raise the sinus floor to make room for upper-jaw implant placement.

Precision Periodontics DC clinical workstation

Dental Implants

Make room in the upper jaw for a successful implant.

When the maxillary sinuses are positioned too close to the upper jaw, there may not be enough bone available to support dental implants. If this is the case for you, your periodontist may recommend a sinus lift procedure. During the procedure, the sinus membrane is gently raised to create space for bone grafting material. After the graft has healed and formed sufficient bone mass, a dental implant can be placed. The grafting material may come from a human donor, the patient’s own bone, or a synthetic source.

At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our specialty-trained periodontists, our specialty-trained periodontists have years of experience treating a wide range of stages of gum disease and placing dental implants. To learn more about the sinus lift procedure, our clinic facilities, or to schedule an appointment for a procedure, contact our Alexandria, VA office at (703) 823-2422 or our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 296-3360.

The Procedure

What to expect from your treatment.

Here's what your sinus lift treatment looks like, step by step.

Your Procedure

Prior to your procedure, a local anesthetic will be administered. Once sufficiently numbed, your periodontist will make an incision in the molar and premolar regions to expose the jawbone. Once a small opening has been made, your periodontist will have access to the sinus membrane, which they will lift up to create room for the grafting material. Once the grafting material is in place, the opening will be closed so the wound can begin the healing process. Following this, the bone graft will gradually integrate with the jawbone over the next several months until it becomes a part of the individual’s jawbone. Once this occurs, patients will be ready to have dental implants placed.

In Some Instances

In some instances, it will be possible to perform the sinus lift and implant procedure during the same appointment, but this will depend upon whether or not the bottom of the sinus and the upper jaw ridge both have sufficient bone to support an implant. If there is sufficient bone, both procedures may occur in one appointment, but if this is there is not sufficient bone available, the patient will need to schedule two separate appointments.

Recovery & Aftercare

A short recovery, a long-term result.

Following your sinus lift procedure, your recovery period can take anywhere from four months up to one year. Immediately following your procedure, there are several things you can do to help reduce swelling and pain and avoid unnecessary complications, such as developing an infection. Avoiding blowing your nose and sneezing (if possible) for the first month is one of the most important post-procedural rules to follow. If you suffer from allergies or are more prone to sneezing, you may consider taking a decongestant during this recovery period. Any pain or discomfort you experience during the initial recovery period can typically be alleviated with over-the-counter pain-relieving medication.

Following your sinus lift procedure, you should also be attentive to changing your gauze pad over the area where surgery took place, changing it frequently until the bleeding has stopped. You can return to brushing your teeth the day after your surgery, but it is important to practice gentle brushing and rinsing techniques when you do. If you do not currently own one, you should consider purchasing and using a soft-bristle toothbrush. If you follow these best practices, your recovery period should be relatively painless and quick. Once the healing process is complete, you will be ready to have dental implants installed.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about this treatment.

What is a Sinus Lift?

An alexandria sinus lift is a safe and effect procedure performed on approximately 20% of patients who are having dental implants placed. To facilitate bone growth to support a dental implant, the sinus membrane is pushed up and grafting material is placed. After a certain amount of time, this grafting material will facilitate the regeneration of enough bone to properly secure a dental implant. The first step in the sinus lift procedure is an initial examination, which will include a CT scan and X-rays to determine whether the bone is deficient and provide information on structures such as blood vessels and nerves to avoid during surgery. Gathering this information is essential to ensuring you have a safe, painless, and effective procedure.

How Painful is a Sinus Lift?

Following your sinus lift procedure, you may begin to experience some discomfort once the effects of the sedation and local anesthetic wear off, which is why it is highly recommended that you clear your schedule for at least a few days following your sinus lift procedure. Facial swelling, discomfort, pain and bruising are very common and can typically be managed with over the counter pain medication, ice therapy, and/or a combination of both. If applying ice to the area of swelling, be sure to leave the ice pack on for no longer than 10-15 minutes and taking at least a 10-15-minute pause in between. If you are prescribed antibiotics or pain medication, be certain that you take as prescribed until the prescription runs out, and that you have updated your periodontist on any important medical events that have occurred recently.

What should I know about Sinus Lift Side Effects?

A dc sinus lift is a safe and effective procedure, though there are some risks involved and there will be a healing period following your procedure. Additionally, a local anesthetic and/or dental sedation will be part of the procedure, which may cause certain side effects, such as fogginess, headache, lightheadedness, nausea, and dry mouth. One positive side effects to heavier types of sedation is that you may have no memory of the procedure even being performed. Any side effect you experience will usually wear off within a few hours of the procedure, but it is important to arrange for a ride home if heavier sedation is used as part of your sinus lift procedure.

Cost & Payment

Money shouldn't stand between you and the care you deserve.

The cost of a sinus lift will depend on a variety of factors, including your dental insurance plan, whether or not additional procedures are required, the severity of your case, and what type of dental sedation (if any) is used.

At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we are committed to ensuring that money is not a deterrent to our patients receiving the optimal dental health care they deserve. For this reason, we offer a range of payment options regardless of what type of treatment you are having, which our staff will be happy to explain and assist with. Our office insurance coordinators work with other insurance companies to assist patients with their claims.

For your convenience, Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry accepts cash, check, debit, and credit cards (Mastercard, American Express, Visa, and Discover). Our clinic also accepts GreenSky Patient Solutions, a financing option for procedures and treatments not typically covered by insurance or when insurance does not cover the entire cost. We are happy to provide an application in our office. You can find out more information about this service at https://www.greensky.com/patient-faq/.

For your convenience, we accept: