An upper-jaw situation
A sinus lift applies to the upper back jaw, where the sinus can limit available bone height. It is different from grafting a narrow ridge elsewhere in the mouth.
Dental Implants / Treatment guide
Sinus Lifts
A sinus lift creates space for additional bone beneath the sinus lining in the upper back jaw. It may be considered when the sinus and limited bone height affect the position of a planned dental implant.
Explore your options with our Atlas Dental team. Ask who would provide your treatment and whether a specialist referral is needed.
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Creating space beneath the sinus lining
The sinus lining is raised to make room for graft material above the upper back jaw.
- 01Sinus space
- 02Raised lining
- 03Graft beneath
This shows a lateral-access approach. The lining remains in place, and implant placement may follow a separate healing period.
Understanding your care
Create room beneath the sinus.
Start with the purpose of treatment, then explore what matters for your own care.
Anatomy guides the method
Remaining bone height, sinus health and the planned implant influence the approach. An assessment may identify sinus conditions that need attention before dental implant preparation proceeds.
A tailored sequence
Some implants can be placed alongside augmentation; other sites require healing first. The plan should explain why a particular sequence is appropriate instead of assuming a single timetable.
From questions to a plan
What care can involve.
The details and sequence depend on your assessment and individual treatment plan.
Assess bone and sinus
Examination and imaging assess the upper-jaw bone and sinus anatomy. Relevant sinus symptoms and medical history help the clinician decide whether further evaluation is needed.
Plan the access
The clinician selects an approach based on the site and explains graft materials, alternatives and whether the implant can be placed during the same procedure.
Create the graft space
The sinus lining is raised and graft material may be placed beneath it. The treatment is designed to increase supporting bone below the sinus.
Review before restoration
The site is monitored as healing progresses. Implant placement or restoration follows when the clinical assessment indicates that the planned next stage is appropriate.
Before you decide
A plan that makes
sense for you.
Sinus augmentation is a surgical procedure with risks including a tear in the lining, infection, sinus problems or insufficient graft healing. Existing sinus disease may change the plan. It is not needed for every upper implant. Depending on anatomy, alternatives may include another implant configuration or a bridge or denture. The clinician should explain these choices and their limitations.
Is a sinus lift the same as a bone graft?
It is a type of bone augmentation focused on the area beneath the upper-jaw sinus. Other bone grafts can add width or fill defects in different parts of the jaw.
Does this change my entire sinus?
The procedure creates a localized space beneath the lining near the planned implant area. It is not intended to remove the sinus; the exact approach depends on your anatomy.
Will an implant be placed at the same time?
Possibly, but not always. The amount of existing bone and ability to stabilize an implant help determine whether placement can occur together or should follow a separate healing phase.
A place to begin
Bring your questions.
We’ll start there.
Talk through your priorities, alternatives and who would provide your care. An assessment helps clarify the next step.
Let’s talk about your optionsOur team will contact you to confirm your visit.
About this guide & educational sources
The treatment images and animations in this guide illustrate examples of care. They are not Atlas Dental patient results, personal treatment recommendations or statements about an individual clinician’s scope. Your assessment and care plan determine which options are appropriate for you.