Sinus Lift Explained – Yonsei JW Dental Clinic
A sinus lift adds bone between the upper jaw and sinus to safely support implants in cases of bone loss. Recommended after CT analysis only if necessary.
In general, dental implants are considered when a permanent tooth is lost or when a tooth is severely damaged due to cavities or gum disease, making restorative treatment impossible. A dental implant involves placing an artificial tooth root directly into the jawbone to replace the missing tooth, and then attaching an artificial tooth such as a crown to restore the function and aesthetics similar to natural teeth.
When patients come in for a consultation about implants in the upper molar region, we often explain that an additional procedure may be required in the implant area. One of the terms we explain to patients in such cases is the "maxillary sinus." The maxillary sinus is a pyramid-shaped hollow space inside the upper jawbone. You can think of it as an air-filled pouch, which makes it easier to understand.
Some people suspect that clinics might be recommending this surgery unnecessarily just because implant prices have gone down over the years. Therefore, in this post, we would like to explain what the maxillary sinus is and in what cases a sinus lift procedure is truly necessary.
What is the Maxillary Sinus?
The maxillary sinus is an air pouch located beside the nose and in the cheek area. It is one of the paranasal sinuses in our body. This space is directly connected to the nose and helps with airflow during breathing, as well as resonance in our voice. The inner wall of the maxillary sinus is lined with mucous membranes, which help filter out bacteria and other external substances. The size and shape of the sinus vary from person to person.
Because the maxillary sinus plays such an important role in the body, special care must be taken when placing implants in the upper molar region to avoid damaging this air cavity. When the upper jawbone is insufficient and the distance to the sinus is too close, implant placement becomes a highly complex procedure.
So what should be done when the bone has resorbed after tooth loss and there isn’t enough bone to place an implant? In such cases, to ensure stable placement of the implant, a sinus lift procedure is performed to create enough bone between the implant site and the sinus.
What is a Sinus Lift?
When there is insufficient bone in the upper jaw area where the sinus is located, a sinus lift is performed to create more space for bone between the sinus and the implant placement site.
In the illustration above, the yellow area represents the bone-filled space, and the hollow space above is the maxillary sinus. As you can see in the image, the bone space is insufficient for implant placement.
If an implant is placed in such a condition without the sinus lift, the sinus may be perforated, causing complications such as a breeze-like feeling between the nose and mouth, frequent nosebleeds, or water flowing from the mouth to the nose. Therefore, a sinus lift is necessary to elevate the dropped sinus space upward.
How Is the Sinus Lift Performed?
The thin membrane covering the sinus is carefully lifted, and the space is filled with artificial bone to secure enough bone for implant placement. In this way, the sinus lift procedure is carried out alongside implant surgery in the upper molar region. This procedure helps create a stronger bond between the implant and the jawbone, ultimately extending the lifespan of the implant.
Because a sinus lift is a highly complex procedure, the medical team at Yonsei JW Dental Clinic performs thorough record checks (pre-op CT & post-op CT) and intraoperative radiographs (PA) to minimize side effects and ensure safe implant treatment. Please feel free to visit us for a consultation!
At Yonsei JW Dental Clinic, we do not recommend a sinus lift unless it is absolutely necessary after precise CT analysis.
At Yonsei JW Dental Clinic in Gangnam, our dental implant procedures are performed by Dr. Ji Ho Ahn, a prosthodontist trained at Seoul National University and currently serving as an adjunct professor there. With extensive clinical experience and expertise in complex cases, Dr. Ahn consistently delivers high-quality implant results. We strictly follow evidence-based practices, never recommend unnecessary procedures, and do not suggest sinus lift surgery unless it is truly needed.
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