Sinus Lift – What It Is, When It’s Needed and What to Expect

Has your dentist recommended a sinus lift before your dental implant? There’s no reason to worry. In this article we explain what the procedure involves, why it is sometimes necessary and what awaits you, step by step.

The sinus lift is one of the most common preparatory operations in modern implantology. Although it is a routine, well-documented procedure with a predictable course, most patients hear about it for the first time only when they need it themselves – and that unfamiliarity is precisely what causes needless anxiety.

What a Sinus Lift Is and Why It’s Needed

A sinus lift (sinus floor augmentation) is a surgical procedure that increases the height of the bone tissue in the back part of the upper jaw. The aim is to create enough bone volume to anchor an implant safely.

Anatomy is the key to understanding it. The maxillary sinus is an air-filled cavity within the skull, and its floor sits just above the roots of the upper back teeth. The floor is lined by the Schneiderian membrane – a thin but firm layer of mucosa that must remain intact throughout the procedure.

After the loss of an upper back tooth, the bone beneath the sinus gradually resorbs. To anchor a standard implant safely, at least 8–10 mm of bone height is required. Below 5 mm, even shorter implants (≤ 6 mm) are not sufficient. A CBCT scan shows precisely whether augmentation is necessary.

When a Sinus Lift Is Indicated

The recommended approach depends on the residual bone height. Where 10 mm or more remains, the implant can be placed without any augmentation. With 5–9 mm of bone, a closed sinus lift or a short implant comes into consideration. When less than 5 mm remains, an open sinus lift (the lateral technique) is required.

A sinus lift comes into consideration when bone height is below 8–10 mm, when an implant is planned in the region of the upper premolars or molars, in cases of bone atrophy after long-term tooth loss or trauma, or when the maxillary sinus is naturally positioned low. Augmentation is needed in roughly one in four patients who are candidates for an upper-jaw implant.

Two Methods – Open vs Closed Technique

The choice of method depends on the residual bone height, not on the dentist’s habit or the patient’s preference.

The closed sinus lift (the Summers technique, crestal approach) is performed through the same opening used to place the implant. Using specialised instruments, the surgeon gently pushes the sinus floor upwards and adds bone material through this channel. It involves less trauma, a shorter procedure and faster healing – but the gain in bone height is limited to 3–4 mm. It is indicated for bone heights of 5–9 mm, the procedure takes 30–45 minutes, healing before implant placement takes 3–4 months, and simultaneous implant placement is often possible.

The open sinus lift (the lateral technique) requires creating a small window in the lateral wall of the jaw. The surgeon lifts the Schneiderian membrane, places bone material into the resulting space and covers the window with a resorbable membrane. This technique makes it possible to add 10–15 mm of new bone. It is indicated for bone heights below 5 mm, the procedure takes 60–90 minutes, healing before implant placement takes 4–6 months, and simultaneous implant placement is done only exceptionally.

Material used for augmentation: most often a xenograft (bovine bone, Bio-Oss) for its reliability and availability, the patient’s own (autologous) bone, or a combination of the two. Synthetic materials are an alternative that avoids the need for a donor site.

A sinus lift is a technically more demanding procedure than a standard implant placement. Gently lifting the thin Schneiderian membrane, dosing the bone material correctly and working calmly and precisely in a confined space – these are the things where the surgeon’s experience makes the difference. In the hands of an experienced implantologist, a sinus lift proceeds smoothly and predictably; without that experience, the risk of complications rises significantly.

The Course of an Open Sinus Lift

1. Anaesthesia – a local injection; the procedure can be supplemented with conscious sedation.
2. Access incision in the gum, laterally in the upper jaw.
3. Creating the window – with a piezoelectric saw or a special bur.
4. Lifting the Schneiderian membrane – carefully and precisely, so that it remains intact.
5. Placing the bone material into the space beneath the membrane.
6. Closure – the window is covered with a resorbable membrane and the wound is sutured.

Total duration: 60–90 minutes.

For patients who are anxious about a longer procedure, we offer conscious sedation – a light half-sleep in which you cooperate with us fully but experience the procedure without stress. Neither general anaesthesia nor hospitalisation is needed. Equally important, however, is the surgeon’s composure and assurance – even the best sedation is no substitute for a well-led dentist at the chair.

At Esthesion, the sinus lift and the subsequent implant placement are performed by the same dentist. We don’t send you elsewhere for the augmentation and then back for the implant – we plan and carry out the entire process in one place.

Healing and Recovery

For the first two to three days you may notice swelling of the cheek, mild pressure in the cheek area, minor bleeding from the nose for the first 1–2 days (a normal occurrence) and mild pain that can be managed with ibuprofen.

For smooth healing it is important to follow a few simple rules:

• Cool the cheek with a cold compress for the first 24–48 hours.
• Do not blow your nose forcefully for two weeks – the pressure can disturb the membrane.
• Sneeze with your mouth open – so as not to create overpressure in the sinuses.
• Eat soft food for the first 5–7 days.
• Do not smoke for at least two weeks.
• Avoid physical exertion for the first week.

Risks and Success Rate

The sinus lift is a procedure with a low rate of serious complications. The most common ones, and how they are dealt with, are as follows. Perforation of the Schneiderian membrane occurs in 5–20 % of cases and is usually resolved directly during the procedure. Transient sinusitis occurs in under 5 % of cases and is treated with antibiotics. Wound infection occurs in under 2 % of cases and is managed with antibiotics and local treatment. Failure of the graft to integrate occurs in under 3 % of cases and is resolved with repeat augmentation.

Contraindications include acute or chronic sinusitis, uncontrolled diabetes, active smoking, treatment with bisphosphonates, and a history of certain maxillary sinus operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a sinus lift hurt?

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia – you feel nothing during it. Afterwards the most common symptom is mild pressure and swelling, not sharp pain. Most patients get through recovery with ibuprofen for the first 2–3 days.

Can a sinus lift be avoided?

In some cases, yes – by using short implants or by changing the placement. It always depends on the individual anatomy. At a consultation with a CBCT scan, we assess whether augmentation is necessary.

Is a sinus lift an outpatient procedure?

Yes. Hospitalisation is not required; you go home after the procedure.

How much does a sinus lift cost?

In Prague, an open sinus lift ranges from approximately CZK 15,000 to 25,000 (approx. €600–1,000). We prepare an exact quotation after evaluating your CBCT scan.

Conclusion

The sinus lift is the longest-studied augmentation method in implantology, with a 15-year implant survival rate of over 97 %. The choice between the open and closed technique depends on the residual bone height – and it is the CBCT scan that decides.

At Esthesion, the sinus lift and the subsequent implant placement are carried out by a single dentist in a single place, with no referrals back and forth. For a procedure whose outcome depends directly on the surgeon’s experience, we consider this standard a matter of course.

Have you been advised to have a sinus lift? Book a consultation – we’ll assess your CBCT scan and propose the optimal approach for your specific case.