# Sinus Lift

> Citation bundle for Sinus Lift on The Treatment Registry.
> URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/procedures/sinus-lift
> Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/procedures/sinus-lift

- Category: dental

## Description

Maxillary sinus floor augmentation is a surgical procedure that increases the amount of bone in the posterior maxilla by lifting the Schneiderian membrane and placing a bone graft.

## Overview

A sinus lift, also known as maxillary sinus floor augmentation, sinus graft or sinus augmentation, is a surgical procedure that increases the amount of bone in the posterior (back) upper jaw by lifting the Schneiderian membrane that lines the sinus and placing a bone graft beneath it. It is most often done to create enough bone to support dental implants. After upper back teeth are lost, the jaw bone can shrink and the air-filled sinus cavity can expand (pneumatise) into the space, leaving too little bone for implants; sinus augmentation restores that bone volume and creates a stable foundation. Candidates include people who have lost one or more posterior upper teeth, have severe bone loss in that region, have congenitally missing teeth, or need implants in a fully edentulous upper jaw. Planning uses panoramic radiographs or cone-beam computed tomography to assess the sinus anatomy and rule out pathology. Two main techniques are used. The lateral (traditional) window technique creates a window in the side wall of the sinus, lifts the membrane and places graft material. The osteotome technique, developed by Hilt Tatum and later described by Robert B. Summers, uses a less invasive transcrestal approach with osteotomes but achieves more limited augmentation. Graft materials can be the patient's own bone (autograft), donor bone (allograft), animal-derived bone (xenograft) or synthetic material (alloplast). Long-term success of the lateral window technique is reported to exceed 90%, though Cochrane reviews report no clear evidence that sinus lifts reduce implant failure more than short implants.

## Common risks

- Perforation of the Schneiderian (sinus) membrane
- Sinusitis
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Pain or bleeding
- Graft failure

## FAQs

### What is a sinus lift?

A sinus lift, or maxillary sinus floor augmentation, is a surgical procedure that adds bone to the back of the upper jaw by lifting the Schneiderian membrane lining the sinus and placing a bone graft beneath it.

### Why is a sinus lift needed?

After upper back teeth are lost, the jaw bone can shrink and the sinus can expand into the space, leaving too little bone for implants. A sinus lift restores bone volume to provide a stable foundation for dental implant placement.

### Who is a candidate?

Candidates include people who have lost one or more posterior upper teeth, have severe bone loss in the posterior maxilla, have congenitally absent teeth, or need implants in a fully edentulous upper jaw.

### What techniques are used?

The lateral window technique creates a window in the sinus wall, lifts the membrane and places graft material. The osteotome technique uses a less invasive transcrestal approach but provides more limited augmentation. Planning uses panoramic radiographs or cone-beam CT.

### What graft materials are used?

Bone substitutes include the patient's own bone (autograft), donor bone (allograft), animal-derived bone (xenograft) and synthetic material (alloplast).

### How long before implants can be placed?

Bone healing generally takes about three to six months, and with the lateral window technique healing before implant placement is often reported in the range of four to twelve months. In some cases implants can be placed at the same time as the graft.