Missing upper back teeth and not enough bone for implants? A sinus lift in Sydney creates the bone depth needed for safe, stable implant placement. At Sydney Dental Implants, sinus augmentation is a precise and manageable procedure.
Missing upper back teeth and not enough bone for implants? A sinus lift in Sydney creates the bone depth needed for safe, stable implant placement. At Sydney Dental Implants, sinus augmentation is a precise and manageable procedure.
Placing dental implants in the upper back jaw is more complex than in any other area of the mouth. The maxillary sinuses — large air-filled cavities that sit above the upper molar and premolar regions — extend downward as the teeth in that area are lost over time.
When the upper back teeth are missing, two things happen simultaneously. The jawbone in that area resorbs and reduces in height, while the sinus floor drops lower. The result is a narrow gap between the sinus base and the top of the remaining bone ridge — sometimes only a few millimetres — that is not sufficient for an implant post to be placed safely without perforating the sinus membrane.
A sinus lift, also called a sinus augmentation or sinus elevation, solves this problem by carefully lifting the sinus membrane and placing bone graft material in the space beneath it. This rebuilds the bone height needed for stable tooth replacement in the upper jaw.
A sinus lift is a surgical bone augmentation procedure specific to the upper jaw. The procedure involves accessing the maxillary sinus through the side of the upper jaw, gently lifting the sinus membrane away from the bone floor, and placing bone graft material in the newly created space.
Over a healing period of several months, the graft material integrates with the existing bone and new bone forms, increasing the height of the jaw ridge beneath the sinus. Once sufficient bone has regenerated and been confirmed through imaging, implants can be placed in this area with the same predictability as any other site in the jaw.
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A sinus lift is indicated when a patient requires implants in the upper molar or premolar region and does not have enough vertical bone height to support them safely. This assessment is made using 3D CBCT imaging, which allows Dr Gidaro to measure bone height and sinus floor position precisely.
Patients who typically require a sinus lift include those who have:
A sinus lift is often performed alongside or prior to a bone graft for dental implants when patients require both vertical and lateral bone augmentation in the upper jaw. Our team determines the right combination of procedures at the initial assessment.
The most established technique for significant sinus augmentation. A small access window is created in the side of the upper jaw bone to reach the sinus. The membrane is carefully lifted and the graft material is placed. This technique is used when a larger volume of bone needs to be added, typically when bone height is less than five millimetres. Implant placement generally follows three to six months after healing.
A less invasive approach used when there is at least five to six millimetres of existing bone height. The sinus floor is elevated through the implant site itself using instruments that push gently upward, allowing a small amount of graft material to be placed simultaneously with the implant in some cases. This technique has a faster recovery and can shorten the overall treatment timeline.
Dr Samuel Gidaro selects the appropriate technique based on your available bone height, the number of implants required, and your individual anatomy. Both approaches are clinically established and carry high success rates when carried out by an experienced implant dentist.
A 3D CBCT scan provides a precise map of your sinus anatomy, bone height, and the thickness of the sinus membrane. This information directs every aspect of treatment planning and allows us to determine which sinus lift technique is appropriate and how much bone grafting is required.
You receive a clear, detailed treatment plan covering the sinus lift procedure, the graft material to be used, the expected healing timeline, and when implant placement can proceed. All costs are outlined upfront.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic. The selected technique is applied with precise, controlled movements to protect the sinus membrane throughout. Graft material is placed and the site is closed. Most patients are comfortable returning to light activity within a few days.
The graft material integrates with the sinus floor and existing bone over several months. New bone grows progressively into the grafted area. Follow-up imaging confirms when adequate bone density and height has been achieved.
Once confirmed through imaging, implants are placed in the newly built bone. From this point, treatment follows the standard pathway through to the final tooth replacement restoration. In some transcrestal cases, implants and the sinus lift can be performed in the same surgical appointment.
Certain Health Conditions Impact Eligibility!
To help you begin this journey and determine if you’re a suitable candidate for dental implants, we invite you to take our 60-second eligibility questionnaire.
(Click here to begin)
A sinus lift is among the more advanced preparatory procedures in implant dentistry, and the outcome depends heavily on surgical precision and careful handling of the sinus membrane. At Sydney Dental Implants, Dr Samuel Gidaro plans and performs every sinus augmentation procedure using 3D imaging guidance and a thorough understanding of upper jaw anatomy.
Our patients receive a complete explanation of the procedure, realistic healing timelines, and consistent follow-up care throughout recovery. We have helped over 1,000 patients across Sydney restore their smiles, including many who were initially told their bone loss was too significant to support implants. View real outcomes in our before and after gallery, or meet the team to learn more about our clinical team and approach.
Certain Health Conditions Impact Eligibility!
To help you begin this journey and determine if you’re a suitable candidate for dental implants, we invite you to take our 60-second eligibility questionnaire.
(Click here to begin)
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A sinus lift is confirmed through a 3D CBCT scan that measures the height of bone beneath the sinus floor. If this measurement is insufficient for safe implant placement, a sinus lift is recommended. Your dentist will explain the findings clearly at your consultation and outline the options available to you.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you will not feel pain during surgery. After the procedure, some swelling, mild pressure, and nasal congestion are normal and typically resolve within one to two weeks. Most patients find the experience more manageable than they expected.
Healing time depends on the technique used and the amount of bone placed. A lateral window sinus lift typically requires four to six months of healing before implant placement. A transcrestal lift may allow implants to be placed sooner, sometimes at the same appointment. Your dentist will confirm the timeline for your specific case after the procedure.
Sinus lifts are a clinically well-established procedure with consistently high success rates when performed by an experienced implant dentist using 3D planning. The most significant risk is perforation of the sinus membrane during surgery, which can be repaired or managed at the time. In experienced hands, this complication is uncommon.
In some cases using the transcrestal technique, yes. When there is at least five to six millimetres of existing bone, implants can sometimes be placed simultaneously with the sinus elevation. When a lateral window approach is required for larger augmentation, implant placement follows after the graft has fully healed and new bone has been confirmed.
Several graft materials are used depending on the case, including processed donor bone (allograft), bovine-derived bone substitute (xenograft), and in some cases the patient’s own bone. The choice of material is discussed with you during treatment planning. More information on graft types is available on our bone graft for dental implants page.
Cost varies depending on the technique used, the volume of graft material required, and whether additional procedures such as bone grafting are performed at the same time. Sydney Dental Implants provides a full, itemised cost estimate at the initial consultation. To get started, get in touch with our team.
Yes. A sinus lift is a preparatory procedure, not a final restoration. Once healing is confirmed through follow-up imaging, dental implants are placed into the regenerated bone. From that point, treatment follows the standard implant pathway through to the final crown, bridge, or arch restoration.
A sinus lift makes dental implants possible for patients who would otherwise be turned away due to insufficient upper jaw bone. With accurate planning and careful technique, it is a reliable, well-tolerated procedure that opens the path to permanent, fixed teeth. Get in touch with Sydney Dental Implants to book your sinus lift consultation today.
