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Sinus elevation
Height where the
upper jaw has none.
Behind the upper premolars the maxillary sinus sits directly above the ridge, and once the teeth are gone it expands downwards. A sinus elevation lifts the membrane and puts bone underneath it.
Why people come here
- Surgery and the finished teeth done by one dentist, under one roof
- Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists
- Fellow of the Misch Institute — and faculty at its successor
- A written, itemized plan before anything is scheduled
The anatomy
An air space where you need bone.
The maxillary sinus is a hollow air chamber in the cheekbone, lined with a thin membrane. When upper back teeth are lost, the floor of that sinus tends to drop, sometimes leaving only a few millimeters of bone between the mouth and the air space.
The procedure lifts the membrane gently off the sinus floor and places graft material into the space created. Over several months that becomes bone an implant can be placed into.
Two approaches
- Crestal — done through the implant site itself. Less invasive, used when a few millimeters of lift are needed.
- Lateral window — a small access through the side wall of the sinus. Used for larger lifts and gives direct vision of the membrane.
Practicalities
What to expect afterwards.
Swelling and bruising
More than a simple extraction, less than most people fear. It peaks around day two or three and settles from there.
Sinus precautions
No nose blowing, no straws and no flying for a couple of weeks. Sneeze with your mouth open. These instructions matter more than they sound.
Healing time
Four to nine months depending on how much lift was needed, before the implant can be placed or loaded.
Questions
Sinus elevation, answered.
Will it affect my breathing or sinuses?
No. The procedure adds bone below the sinus floor; it does not intrude into the air space or change how the sinus drains.
Can the implant go in at the same time?
If enough native bone remains to hold the implant stable at placement, often yes. If there are only a couple of millimeters, the graft is done first and the implant follows.
What if the membrane tears?
Small perforations are a recognized event and are managed at the time with a resorbable membrane. Occasionally the sensible decision is to close, let it heal and return in a few months — and we would tell you that rather than press on.
Start with an exam and a straight answer.
A consultation includes an examination, 3D imaging and a written, itemized plan. If implants are not the right treatment for you, Dr. Patellis will say so and tell you what is.