Sinus Lift
What Is a Sinus Lift?
Sinus lift is surgical elevation of the maxillary sinus floor in the posterior upper jaw to gain vertical bone height for an implant. Depending on technique and case, sinus-floor elevation may be performed with or without grafting; it has a different surgical context from general bone graft applications. Sinus lift is not needed before every upper-jaw implant; if bone height is sufficient, the procedure may not be planned and direct implant placement may be assessed.
Technique Options
Closed (indirect) sinus lift raises the sinus floor with an osteotome during implant-bed preparation and is suitable for more limited bone gain. Open (direct) sinus lift provides a larger graft volume through a lateral window. Membrane perforation is a manageable complication; surgical experience and anatomy are important. Technique selection is determined according to bone height, sinus anatomy and planned graft volume and is shared with the patient.
Planning and Preconditions
CBCT shows sinus anatomy, septa and existing bone height. Active sinus disease or signs of infection are assessed separately; nasal congestion alone is not an automatic reason for postponement. Grafting and implant placement may be planned in the same session or in stages. Graft material may be allograft, xenograft or autograft and is selected according to the case. In cases with sufficient bone height, sinus lift may not be planned.
A history of chronic sinus disease or allergic rhinitis is considered in planning. Nasal and sinus health are assessed before the procedure. During sinus lift, grafting may be used or a graftless approach may be assessed according to case and technique; this is not the same procedure as general bone graft applications. It is performed under local anaesthesia; sedation can be assessed for patients who prefer it. Follow-up visits after the procedure may be planned during healing.
Healing
After the procedure, avoiding nose blowing and pressure-increasing activities may be recommended. Mild nasal fullness or bleeding may occur. Graft stabilisation may take months; control imaging may be used in follow-up. The clinic should be contacted if signs of sinus infection occur; fever, severe pain or nosebleed may require assessment.
Soft diet and oral hygiene recommendations are shared in the first weeks. Timing of activities with pressure changes, such as flying and diving, is determined according to the surgeon’s technique, healing process and complication risk. A fixed number of days is not given; the decision is assessed together with your surgeon. The implant stage after sinus lift may be planned months later depending on graft maturation.