Sinus Lift in Princeton and Flemington, NJ

A sinus lift, also known as sinus augmentation, is a highly specialized bone grafting procedure that is performed to create the necessary support for dental implants in the upper back jaw. The board-certified oral surgeons at West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery have extensive experience helping patients achieve a complete and functional smile with this advanced technique.

What is a Sinus Lift?

The maxillary sinuses are natural, air-filled spaces located just above your upper back teeth. When these teeth are lost, the bone that once supported them often begins to shrink over time. This, combined with the natural anatomy of the sinus, can leave a wall of bone that is too thin to securely anchor a dental implant.

A sinus lift procedure solves this problem by carefully adding bone graft material to the floor of the sinus. This is accomplished by gently elevating the delicate sinus membrane to create a space for the new bone. Over several months, this graft will integrate with your natural bone, creating the proper height and density needed for implant placement.

When is a Sinus Lift Necessary?

A sinus lift is a common and predictable procedure that is recommended when there is not enough bone height in the upper back jaw to support an implant. This procedure is often ideal for:

• Patients who have been missing their upper back teeth for an extended period, leading to significant bone loss.
• Individuals who have naturally large sinuses, leaving little room for implants.
• Anyone who is planning a full-arch restoration and needs a solid foundation in the posterior jaw for support.
• Patients who want to prevent implant complications, such as a perforation into the sinus cavity.

Our Approach to Sinus Lifts

We use a meticulous, multi-step approach to ensure your sinus lift is performed safely and results in the best possible outcome.

1. Meticulous 3D Planning: Your care begins with a comprehensive evaluation and an advanced 3D CBCT scan. This detailed imaging allows our surgeons to precisely measure your existing bone height and to visualize the unique anatomy of your sinus, which is critical for planning a safe and predictable surgery.

2. The Surgical Procedure: Your surgeon will carefully and gently elevate the sinus membrane and then place the bone grafting material into the newly created space. Our surgeons are experts in the delicate techniques required for this procedure, ensuring the integrity of the sinus membrane and the success of the graft.

3. Anesthesia for Your Comfort: A sinus lift is a comfortable in-office procedure. We offer a full range of anesthesia options, from local anesthetic combined with nitrous oxide to IV sedation, to ensure you are completely relaxed and pain-free throughout the surgery.

4. Healing and Implant Placement: After the surgery, the bone graft will need several months to heal and integrate with your jaw. In some cases, if there is enough initial bone to stabilize an implant, it can be placed at the same time as the sinus lift. If not, the implants will be placed after the graft has fully matured.