Sinus Lift

When there’s not enough bone in the jaw to support dental implants, our NYC oral surgeons use bone grafting to help create a stable anchor for the placement of implants. But when the maxillary sinuses (located on either side of the nose) are too close to the jawbone, there may not be enough room for the placement of dental implants. Dr. Stein and Dr. Koslovsky can perform a sinus lift in order to move the sinus membrane upward, creating enough space to place a bone graft that will later support your dental implant.

What is a sinus lift?

A sinus lift is a specialized bone grafting procedure that can prepare the jaw for dental implants when the sinuses are too close to the jawbone. By lifting the sinuses away from the jawbone, adequate space can be created for the bone to grow in order to support dental implants.

How is a sinus lift performed?

Using advanced surgical techniques, your sinus lift surgeon makes an incision to create a small window in the jawbone. This allows your surgeon to access and lift the sinus membrane on the other side of the window. By gently moving the sinus membrane away from the jawbone, your oral surgeon creates space for the bone grafting materials. Once the bone graft is completed, the graft will be allowed time to integrate with the jawbone and heal before dental implants are placed. While individual circumstances vary, in most cases, your oral surgeon will place dental implants 6 to 9 months after sinus lift surgery.

Patients with some bone but not enough to place a dental implant can benefit from an “Internal Sinus Lift.” This is a procedure where your oral surgeon places the bone graft under your sinus and a dental implant at the same time. Dr. Stein and Dr. Koslovsky are among a handful of international specialists able to perform this procedure. The “Internal Lift” minimizes the risk of a full sinus lift as well as shortens the treatment time required for the completion of the healing and implant process, so everything is completed in one step.

What bone grafting material is used for a sinus lift?

Your oral surgeons will conduct a thorough examination that may include x-rays or CT scans to determine the best treatment options for each individual patient. In some cases, your surgeon may use your own bone, harvested from either within the mouth or another area of the body, such as the hip or below the knee. In other cases, synthetic materials may be used. Dr. Stein and Dr. Koslovsky are among the select group of oral surgeons in the United States to use INFUSE®, an advanced new bone grafting material that uses a special protein to promote bone growth. Your oral surgeon may also use growth factors from your own blood to help foster healing. Dr. Stein and Dr. Koslovsky will assess your individual situation and discuss all the options with you.

How do I get started with sinus lift surgery?

Dr. Stein, Dr. Koslovsky, and our staff would be happy to discuss sinus lift surgery with you. Please call 212-888-4760 or schedule an appointment online to arrange for a private consultation at our office.

• Before Anesthesia