Hero Image

Sinus Lift in Sydney

Create a secure and stable foundation for future implant placement

_A7M1114.png

What is Sinus Lifting?

When missing teeth in the upper jaw, there is often insufficient bone height to safely support dental implants due to the natural proximity of the maxillary sinus cavity. At Axis Dental, we provide structurally focused sinus lift procedures (also known as sinus augmentation) designed to increase bone volume in the upper jawbone, creating a secure and stable foundation for future implant placement and supporting your long-term dental health.

A sinus lift is a clinical surgical procedure that involves gently lifting the delicate sinus membrane and placing biocompatible bone graft material into the space created. Over time, this material acts as a scaffold, encouraging your body to regenerate its own new bone growth and providing the necessary depth to securely anchor artificial roots.

Depending on how much bone remains in the area, our dental surgeon may recommend different grafting techniques or materials. This might include autogenous bone, donor bone, or synthetic bone.

Whichever option they suggest, the goal is always the same. We aim to create enough bone height and stability to enable us to safely place dental implants in an area where your sinuses are too close to your underlying natural bone. Contact us to learn more.

Our Story Book Free Consultation
consult.jpg

Why Might You Need an Assessment for a Sinus Lift?

Our clinical team may recommend an assessment for a sinus lift procedure to address the following concerns:

Insufficient Bone Height

When the natural jawbone in the upper molar and premolar region has resorbed, particularly following tooth loss or extraction, there may not be enough existing bone available to safely support dental implants. This reduction in bone height is common after a missing tooth, especially when the area has been left untreated for an extended period.

Close Sinus Proximity

If the maxillary sinus is naturally positioned too close to the upper jawbone, there may not be sufficient space to safely place a dental implant without first creating additional bone volume. A CBCT scan allows our team to accurately assess the available bone and determine whether sinus lift surgery may be required.

Dental Implant Preparation

To ensure there is adequate bone volume and density to securely support a single dental implant or a full-arch restoration, we may recommend a sinus lift and/or bone grafting procedure before or during treatment. This helps create a stable foundation for implant placement and supports long-term treatment success.

Lateral Window vs. Crestal Sinus Lift: What's the Difference?

Sinus lift procedures are performed in different ways, and the technique used on you will depend on various factors. They include your available bone height, the position of the maxillary sinus, and whether there is enough existing bone to support dental implants.

A lateral window sinus lift is typically recommended when significant bone loss has occurred in the upper jaw. During this surgical procedure, a small window is created in the side of the jawbone. This allows the sinus membrane to be carefully lifted so that bone graft material can be added beneath it. Such an approach usually requires a healing period of six to nine months before implant placement can take place.

An crestal sinus lift, on the other hand, is less invasive. It may even allow dental implants to be placed during the same appointment, if there is sufficient bone volume already present.

xray.jpg

Sinus Lift vs. Pterygoid Implants: Do You Have an Alternative?

Many patients assume a sinus lift procedure is their only option when they have experienced significant bone loss in the back of the upper jaw. But this is not always the case, because for some patients, pterygoid implants may provide an alternative solution.

Rather than adding bone graft material beneath the sinus floor, these specialised implants are anchored into stronger areas of bone. Typically, in areas located behind the maxillary sinus. This approach can sometimes eliminate the need for sinus augmentation altogether. It may also reduce overall treatment times because there is less dependence on waiting for new bone to develop.

In more severe cases, that might involve substantial bone loss throughout the entire upper jaw, zygomatic implants may be considered. During your consultation with Axis Dental, our clinicians will explain all available options. They will also recommend the most appropriate treatment based on your situation.

Book Free Consultation

The Sinus Lift Procedure at Axis Dental

At Axis Dental, every sinus lift procedure is carefully planned using advanced imaging and tailored to your individual anatomy. Our aim is to create sufficient bone volume in the upper jaw to safely support long-term dental implants. Here's how the process goes:

Assessment and 3D Imaging

Your treatment begins with an initial consultation and CBCT scan. These detailed X-rays allow us to assess the maxillary sinus. It also helps us measure available bone height and determine whether a sinus lift and implant placement can be performed together.

The Procedure

Most patients undergo treatment under local anaesthesia. During the procedure, the sinus membrane is gently elevated, and bone graft material is placed into the resulting space. With current advancements in surgical techniques, it is also very common to place implants at the same time as the sinus lift, which allows concurrent healing and decreases healing times as well as the number of invasive procedures.

Healing and Implant Placement Timeline

Depending on the amount of bone grafting required, the healing process may take six months or more before dental implants can be placed or restored. That said, in some cases, implants can be inserted during the same appointment.

Recovery After a Sinus Lift

During the first few days after a sinus lift, most patients experience mild to moderate swelling, discomfort, and occasional bruising. To give it the best chance for proper healing during this period, try to avoid blowing your nose, lifting heavy objects, and doing other strenuous activities.

In addition, sticking to a soft diet, maintaining good oral hygiene, and taking any prescribed medication will help you to better manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of infection.

The gum tissue generally heals within a few weeks. However, the underlying bone graft requires several months to mature and form new bone. That's why we recommend regular follow-up appointments. They allow us to monitor your progress and ensure the healing process remains on track.

Home Contact us

Potential Complications and Considerations

A sinus lift procedure is an invasive surgical procedure, and we believe in total transparency to help you prepare for your recovery. While driven by strict surgical protocols, potential clinical complications can include:

Sinus Membrane Perforation (Sinus Communication)

The most common complication occurs when a small tear develops in the delicate sinus membrane during treatment. This may require additional management before the bone graft can be completed safely.

Post-Operative Infection

As with any surgery, there is a risk of bacterial infection at the graft site or within the sinus cavity itself. Following post-operative instructions will help to prevent infection and expedite the healing process.

Failed Integration or Resorption

The bone graft material may fail to integrate with the surrounding bone. This may limit the amount of new bone growth achieved.

Graft Migration

In rare situations, the graft material may move from its intended position before the healing process is complete.

Temporary Swelling and Bleeding

Patients may experience temporary swelling, bruising, bleeding, or minor discomfort from the nose or mouth during the initial recovery phase.

denture-vs-implant.jpg

Why Choose Axis Dental?

At Axis Dental, we possess a detailed understanding of modern implant dentistry. Led by Dr Ho-yeon Choi, our team provides a complete in-house treatment pathway for our patients. This includes everything from sinus augmentation and bone grafting procedures to final dental implants and restoration.

Our goal is to help them achieve successful, long-lasting outcomes through personalised dental care, and with transparent explanations, pricing and we offer flexible payment options.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, if there is enough bone height and stability, it is possible for dental implants to be placed during the same dental treatment.

  • In principle, yes. But our dentist will first evaluate your sinus health, gum tissue, and bone underneath before determining the appropriateness of the treatment.

  • If you experience persistent pain, swelling, infection, or poor healing around the surgical site, then it may indicate that there are complications we need to address.

  • We will assess the amount of bone in the upper jaw to determine whether there is enough bone to work with.

  • As a sinus lift is performed under local or general anaesthesia, most patients experience minimal pain during the treatment.