Reviewed by Dr. Nicole M. Berger, DDS — South Florida Smile Spa, Pompano Beach, FL
A sinus lift in Pompano Beach at South Florida Smile Spa is the procedure that makes dental implants possible in the upper back jaw when there is not enough bone to hold them. The upper molars and premolars sit directly under the maxillary sinuses, and once those teeth are lost the bone between the mouth and the sinus thins quickly, sometimes to a millimeter or two. A sinus lift gently raises the sinus floor and fills the space with bone graft, so that six to nine months later an implant has solid bone to anchor in. This page explains who needs one, how the procedure is done, what recovery is like, and how it fits into an implant plan.
Quick answer
A sinus lift, or sinus augmentation, is a bone grafting procedure for the upper back jaw. Our periodontist at South Florida Smile Spa in Pompano Beach lifts the thin membrane lining the floor of the maxillary sinus and places bone graft material beneath it, adding several millimeters of bone height so that dental implants can be placed securely where the molars and premolars used to be. It takes about an hour under local anesthetic, with IV sedation available, and the graft matures over four to nine months before the implant is placed; when enough bone exists, the lift and the implant are done in the same visit. Recovery involves a few days of mild swelling and a few weeks of avoiding nose-blowing and straws.
Who Needs One
Why the upper back jaw runs out of bone
An implant needs roughly 10 millimeters of bone height to be stable. Several things conspire against that in the upper back jaw.
- The sinus sits right there. The roots of the upper molars often reach into the sinus floor, so even a healthy jaw may have little bone to spare.
- Bone shrinks after extraction. Without a tooth root to stimulate it, the jawbone resorbs, losing up to a quarter of its width in the first year, and the sinus expands downward into the space.
- Gum disease and infection destroy bone before the tooth is even lost, so teeth removed for periodontitis often leave the least bone behind.
- Dentures accelerate it. Years of pressure from an upper denture flatten the ridge further.
A 3D cone-beam scan measures the bone exactly, and it decides whether you need a sinus lift at all, which type, and whether the implant can go in the same day. The American Dental Association’s patient page on dental implants explains why adequate bone matters.
Two kinds of sinus lift, and how they are chosen
| Internal (crestal) lift | Lateral window lift | |
|---|---|---|
| When it is used | 5 mm or more of existing bone; a few millimeters of extra height needed | Less than 5 mm of bone; a larger amount of graft needed, or several implants planned |
| How it is done | Through the implant site itself: the sinus floor is tapped gently upward and graft is packed beneath it | A small window is opened in the side wall of the sinus, the membrane is lifted, and graft is placed under it |
| Implant timing | Usually placed at the same visit | Same visit if 4 to 5 mm of bone exists; otherwise after 6 to 9 months of healing |
| Procedure time | Added to the implant appointment, 20 to 30 minutes | About 60 to 90 minutes |
| Recovery | Similar to a simple implant placement | Mild to moderate swelling for a few days; sinus precautions for two to three weeks |
The Procedure
What happens during a sinus lift
- Planning. Dr. Berger plans the implants and the final teeth; the cone-beam scan maps the sinus, its membrane and any septa inside it, and our periodontist plans the lift from that.
- Anesthesia. Local anesthetic numbs the area completely. Most patients choose nitrous oxide or IV sedation, which Dr. Berger provides under her Florida sedation permit, so the hour passes without memory of it.
- Access. For a lateral lift, a small incision in the gum above the back teeth exposes the sinus wall, and a window the size of a fingernail is opened in the thin bone with a gentle instrument that does not cut soft tissue.
- Lifting the membrane. The sinus lining is eased upward a few millimeters, like lifting a tent floor, creating a pocket between the membrane and the jaw.
- Grafting. The pocket is filled with bone graft, usually processed donor bone or a synthetic mineral, sometimes mixed with your own bone or growth factors from your blood, and a collagen membrane covers the window.
- Closing. The gum is stitched closed. If enough native bone exists, the implant is placed in the same session; otherwise the site heals for four to nine months while the graft turns into your own bone.
Recovery: what the first three weeks look like
Most patients describe a sinus lift as easier than they expected. Expect mild to moderate swelling of the cheek for two to four days, some bruising in a few patients, and discomfort controlled with ibuprofen and acetaminophen; strong painkillers are rarely needed. A little blood in the nose for a day or two is normal. The rules that matter are the sinus precautions: for two to three weeks, do not blow your nose, sneeze with your mouth open, avoid straws, smoking and vigorous exercise, and skip flying and scuba diving, because pressure changes can disturb the graft before it is stable. A short course of antibiotics and a decongestant are usually prescribed. Stitches dissolve or are removed at a one-week check. You can eat soft food the same day and return to desk work the next day. The graft itself takes four to nine months to become solid bone, which is checked with a scan before the implant is placed.
Risks, and how they are managed
The main risk is a small tear in the sinus membrane during lifting, which happens in a minority of cases and is usually repaired on the spot with a collagen patch; a larger tear means closing and trying again in a few months. Sinus infection after the procedure is uncommon and treated with antibiotics. Graft failure, where the bone does not consolidate, is rare in non-smokers with healthy sinuses, and is the reason patients with chronic sinusitis are seen by an ENT physician first and why smoking is stopped before surgery. Success rates for implants placed in sinus-lifted bone are above 90 percent, essentially the same as implants in native bone.
Alternatives to a sinus lift
Not every missing upper molar needs one. Shorter implants, 6 to 8 mm long, can sometimes be placed in the bone that exists. Implants can be angled forward to avoid the sinus entirely, which is the principle behind All-on-4 full-arch implants. Zygomatic implants anchored in the cheekbone are an option for severely resorbed jaws. And a bridge or a partial denture replaces the tooth without surgery at all. Dr. Berger lays these out against each other, with the scan on the screen, and the choice is yours. Our bone grafting page covers grafts elsewhere in the jaw.
Cost and insurance
A sinus lift is billed separately from the implant and the crown, and the fee depends on whether it is an internal or lateral lift and how much graft is needed. Many dental plans cover part of a bone graft when it precedes an implant; medical insurance occasionally covers it when tooth loss followed injury or disease. Our team verifies both before anything is scheduled and gives you a written plan with every phase priced, so there are no surprises between the graft and the final tooth. Financing is available for implant treatment.
Care in Pompano Beach
Why patients choose South Florida Smile Spa for a sinus lift
- Surgery and restoration under one roof. Our periodontist performs the lift and places the implant; Dr. Berger plans the case and makes the final teeth, in the same office with the same records.
- 3D planning. Every sinus lift is planned on a cone-beam scan, so the type of lift, the graft volume and the implant timing are decided before the first incision.
- Sedation in-house. Nitrous oxide or IV sedation provided by Dr. Berger, who holds a Florida sedation permit, for patients who would rather not be aware of the procedure.
- Alternatives presented honestly. Short implants, angled implants, a bridge: you hear every option, not just the surgical one.
- One written plan, every phase priced. Graft, implant and crown, with insurance verified before you commit.
Patients come to us for sinus lifts and implant treatment from Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Coconut Creek. If you have been told you do not have enough bone for an implant, a scan here will show whether a sinus lift changes that answer.
Told you do not have enough bone for an implant
Book an implant consultation with a 3D scan. You will see exactly how much bone is there, whether a sinus lift is needed, and what the whole plan costs before you decide.
South Florida Smile Spa · Dr. Nicole M. Berger, DDS · 572 E McNab Rd, Suite 102, Pompano Beach, FL 33060 · (954) 785-1100
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a sinus lift painful?
Not during the procedure, which is done under local anesthetic with sedation available. Afterward, most patients describe pressure and mild soreness for a few days, managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, plus some cheek swelling that peaks around day two or three. It is generally easier than a difficult extraction.
How long does a sinus lift take to heal before the implant?
Four to nine months, depending on how much graft was placed; a lateral window lift with a large graft is at the longer end. The gum heals in about two weeks. If 4 to 5 mm of natural bone exists, the implant is often placed at the same time as the lift and both heal together, which removes a stage.
Can the implant be placed at the same time as the sinus lift?
Often, yes. When the existing bone is at least 4 to 5 mm thick it can hold the implant steady while the graft matures around it. With less bone than that the implant would not be stable, so the graft is allowed to harden first. The cone-beam scan makes this call before surgery.
Who performs the sinus lift at South Florida Smile Spa?
Our periodontist, who comes to the office to perform surgical procedures including sinus lifts, bone grafts, implant placement and extractions. Dr. Berger plans the case, provides sedation, and designs and places the final crown or bridge, so the whole treatment is coordinated in one office.
What can I not do after a sinus lift?
For two to three weeks: no nose-blowing, sneeze with your mouth open, no straws, no smoking, no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise, and no flying or diving. These keep pressure off the healing membrane and graft. Soft food for the first few days, and gentle brushing away from the surgical site until the stitches are out.
What is the bone graft made of?
Usually sterilized, processed donor bone or a synthetic bone mineral, both of which act as a scaffold that your own bone grows into and replaces over several months. A small amount of your own bone or growth factors concentrated from your blood is sometimes added to speed healing. All materials are FDA-regulated and have long safety records.
What if I have sinus problems or allergies?
Tell us. Active sinus infection or chronic sinusitis is treated first, sometimes with an ENT evaluation, because an inflamed sinus heals poorly and is more likely to become infected after surgery. Seasonal allergies are managed with antihistamines around the time of surgery. A past history of sinus trouble does not rule out a sinus lift.
Are there alternatives if I do not want a sinus lift?
Sometimes. Short implants can work in 6 to 8 mm of bone, implants can be angled to avoid the sinus, and a bridge or partial denture replaces the tooth without surgery. Each has trade-offs in longevity and how it feels, and Dr. Berger will show you what your scan allows.
Do you see patients from outside Pompano Beach?
Yes. Patients come for sinus lifts and dental implants from Lighthouse Point, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Coconut Creek and across Broward County. The office is at 572 E McNab Rd, Suite 102, Pompano Beach. Call (954) 785-1100 or request an appointment.