Oral surgery

Sinus lift

Bone grafting under the sinus to place implants in the back of the upper jaw.

Duration

45 to 75 minutes

Anaesthesia

Advanced local anaesthesia or sedation

Hospital stay

Day case

Recovery

Bone maturation over 4 to 6 months

The procedure

Losing upper premolars or molars inevitably leads to loss of bone height, often accentuated by the natural expansion of the maxillary sinus (sinus pneumatisation).

When there is not enough bone volume to anchor a dental implant securely and lastingly, a sinus lift, or sinus floor elevation, is the procedure of choice: the sinus lining is gently lifted and the space created is filled with a reconstruction material.

As a maxillofacial surgeon, Dr Yousefpour brings in-depth command of sinus anatomy, the airways and advanced grafting techniques to ensure a safe, predictable and comfortable procedure.

Diagram of a lateral-window sinus lift: a bone window opened in the outer wall of the upper jaw and the Schneiderian membrane lifted above the sinus floor. — Lateral-window sinus lift: a small window is made in the outer wall of the upper jaw over the toothless area, then the sinus lining (Schneiderian membrane) is gently detached from the sinus floor and lifted. The space created beneath the membrane will be filled with graft material to restore the bone height needed for an implant.

Sinus lift grafting: bone substitute granules placed in the space under the lifted sinus membrane with a graduated syringe and cannula. — Second stage of the sinus lift: the bone substitute, in granule form, is placed in the space between the sinus floor and the lifted membrane using a graduated syringe with a cannula. This material serves as a scaffold for the new bone that will restore the height of the upper jaw before implant placement.

Illustration of a sinus lift after maturation: the consolidated bone substitute fills the space under the lifted sinus membrane and restores the height of the alveolar ridge. — Third stage of the sinus lift: after 4 to 6 months of bone maturation, the bone substitute under the sinus membrane has consolidated into living bone. The height and volume of the ridge are restored, providing the solid base for the implants; no implant is in place yet at this stage.

Illustration of dental implant placement after a sinus lift: the titanium implant with its abutment sits in the alveolar ridge, anchored in the consolidated bone substitute under the lifted sinus membrane. — Fourth stage of the sinus lift: the titanium dental implant with its abutment is inserted through the ridge and firmly anchored in the consolidated bone substitute, under the lifted sinus membrane. Depending on bone quality, it can be placed at the same time as the grafting or after the graft has matured; osseointegration in the rebuilt bone then provides a stable foundation for the permanent crown.

The protocol, step by step.

Step 1
Consultation and 3D assessment
CBCT analysis, implant feasibility study and a tailored treatment plan.
Step 2
Surgery
Performed calmly with pre-planned pain relief (duration: 45 to 75 minutes).
Step 3
Maturation phase
A natural integration period of 4 to 6 months that turns the biomaterial into solid living bone.
Step 4
Implant and crown
Your dentist fits the permanent crown on a perfectly stable bone foundation.

Why entrust your sinus lift to Dr Yousefpour?

Complete anatomical and ENT command: overall assessment of sinus patency, the middle meatus and anatomical variations (Underwood’s septa).
Precision digital technology: advanced 3D planning with cone beam CT (CBCT) and guided surgery for millimetre precision.
Safety and comfort: performed under advanced local anaesthesia or sedation, in a dedicated sterile surgical setting.

Two approaches suited to your situation

The choice of technique depends directly on the initial bone thickness seen on your 3D scan.

Crestal approach (minimally invasive), for a moderate deficiency with more than 5 mm of bone height: direct access through the implant drilling site, with the implant almost always placed in the same session.
Lateral approach, for a severe deficiency with less than 5 mm of remaining height: a small side window to fill a large volume, with implants placed at the same time or later depending on the stability achieved.

Surgical protocol and technological innovations

Piezoelectric osteotomy (ultrasound): selective micro-vibration bone cutting that greatly reduces the risk of injury to or perforation of the Schneiderian membrane.
Certified grafting materials: locally harvested autologous bone and/or high-purity biocompatible bone substitutes to induce dense new bone formation.
Platelet concentrates (PRF): optional use of your own growth factors to speed up vascularisation and tissue regeneration.
Resorbable barrier membranes: optimal protection of the grafted site with a collagen membrane to guide bone regeneration.

Recommendations and post-operative follow-up

Dr Yousefpour provides careful, personalised follow-up. Thanks to minimally invasive techniques, recovery is now very straightforward:

Immediate advice: avoid forceful nose-blowing, sneeze with the mouth open, and postpone air travel or strenuous sport for 10 to 14 days.
Pain management: targeted painkillers and suitable local care for a quick, pain-free recovery.

Not enough bone for implants?

Book an appointment with Dr Yousefpour for a personalised 3D assessment and find the solution suited to your situation.

Dental implants

Frequently asked questions

What is a sinus lift?

It is the elevation of the floor of the maxillary sinus. The sinus lining is gently lifted and the space created is filled with a reconstruction material, to restore the bone height needed to place an implant.

When is it needed?

After losing upper premolars or molars, the bone loses height and the sinus naturally expands. When there is not enough bone left to anchor an implant securely, a sinus lift is the procedure of choice.

How long do the procedure and healing take?

The procedure takes 45 to 75 minutes, as a day case, under advanced local anaesthesia or sedation. Bone maturation then takes 4 to 6 months before the rebuilt bone can receive the implant.

Is the implant placed at the same time?

It depends on the quality and volume of the remaining bone. The implant can sometimes be placed during the grafting, otherwise after the graft has matured.

Why a maxillofacial surgeon for a sinus lift?

The maxillary sinus is a fragile air-filled cavity lined with a thin membrane. Dr Yousefpour, maxillofacial surgeon, knows sinus and airway anatomy in depth, which makes lifting the membrane and grafting safer.

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