Dr. Theo Katsaros
Lead periodontist
Last Updated
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Background
What is a sinus lift?
A sinus lift is a bone grafting procedure designed to rebuild bone volume in the upper jaw, specifically in the area just below your maxillary sinuses, which are the air-filled spaces behind your cheekbones.
Over time, when teeth are lost in the upper back jaw, the sinus can gradually expand downward into the space previously occupied by tooth roots. This slow loss of bone volume is very common, but it can make dental implants difficult or impossible to place without first restoring that bone.
During a sinus lift, your periodontist gently lifts the sinus floor upward to where it naturally belongs and fills the newly created space with biocompatible grafting materials that stimulate new bone growth. Over the following months, your body grows new bone into that space, creating a stable foundation that can support dental implants.
Who needs a sinus lift?
A sinus lift may be the right next step for you if:
You are missing one or more upper back teeth and the bone in that area has diminished over time.
A previous assessment found insufficient bone height in your upper jaw for standard implant placement.
Your sinus has expanded downward into the space where tooth roots once sat.
You want dental implants but have been told you do not have enough bone to support them without preparation.
Not everyone who wants upper jaw implants will need a sinus lift. During your consultation, we will take digital X-rays and assess your bone structure carefully to determine whether this procedure is necessary for your treatment plan.
Our process
The sinus lift process at Bloor-Yorkville Periodontics
This is a technically precise procedure, and our specialists approaches every step with the care and expertise it requires. Here is what you can expect throughout your treatment.
Step 1: Consultation and treatment planning
We begin with a thorough examination of your mouth, jaw, and medical history, including a review of any medications you are currently taking. Digital X-rays give us a detailed picture of your bone structure, sinus anatomy, and the amount of bone rebuilding required.
From there, we will explain our findings clearly, confirm whether a sinus lift is the right approach for you, and walk you through what your full treatment journey will look like, including the timeline for healing before implants can be placed.
Step 2: Preparing for your procedure
Because a sinus lift is a technique-sensitive procedure with a number of variables that require careful management, the majority of cases are best performed under IV sedation. This keeps you comfortable and relaxed throughout, while allowing our team to work with the precision this procedure demands.
We will discuss your sedation options with you in advance and answer any questions you have so you feel fully prepared on the day of your procedure.
Step 3: Lifting the sinus floor
Once you are comfortable and the area is fully anesthetized, your periodontist will create a small opening in the gum tissue and underlying bone to access the sinus floor.
The sinus membrane is then gently and carefully lifted upward, restoring it to its natural position. This step requires a high level of technical skill: the membrane must be moved without tearing to ensure the procedure is successful.
Step 4: Placing the bone graft
With the sinus floor repositioned, the space beneath it is filled with bone grafting material. This biocompatible material acts as a scaffold, encouraging your body to grow new bone into the area over time.
The opening is then closed and sutured, and the healing process begins.
Step 5: Healing and preparation for implants
Bone regeneration takes time. You can expect a healing period of six to eleven months before your new bone is strong and dense enough to support dental implants. We will monitor your progress with follow-up appointments and imaging during this time to confirm that healing is proceeding as expected.
Once your bone has matured, you will be ready to move forward with implant placement.
Step 6: Aftercare and recovery guidance
Before you leave, we will give you detailed aftercare instructions covering what to expect in the days following your procedure, how to manage any discomfort, and what to watch for during your recovery. The entire procedure takes approximately one hour, and our team is available to support you throughout the healing process.
This year I found myself again back, this time for a sinus lift, bone grafting and implant. No complications which to me is indicative of her skilled work and expertise. I felt like the treatment plan was throughly reviewed with me, the procedure was done under anesthesia and I was handled with great care during the procedure and post op.
Marlene Duarte Giles
Google Review
Your Periodontal Specialists
Why choose Bloor-Yorkville Periodontics in Toronto for a sinus lift?
A sinus lift is one of the more technically demanding procedures in periodontal surgery. Choosing a practice with genuine specialist expertise in this area matters.
Specialist expertise: Sinus lift surgery is a core part of our periodontal practice, and our team brings a high level of technical skill and clinical experience to every case.
Personalized treatment planning: We take the time to understand your full dental and medical history and design a treatment plan specific to your anatomy and goals.
IV sedation available: For a procedure of this complexity, we believe patient comfort and procedural precision go hand in hand. IV sedation is available and recommended for most sinus lift cases.
Continuity of care: From your initial consultation through bone grafting, healing, and eventual implant placement, our team is with you throughout the entire process.
Conveniently located in Toronto: Our practice is easy to reach for all your appointments, no matter how many visits your treatment requires.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about sinus lifts
Why do I need a sinus lift before getting dental implants?
Dental implants need a certain amount of solid bone to anchor into. When the upper back jaw does not have enough bone height, usually because teeth have been missing for some time and the sinus has expanded downward, there is simply not enough structure to hold an implant securely. A sinus lift rebuilds that bone so that your implants have the stable foundation they need to last.
Is a sinus lift painful?
We take precaution to keep you comfortable. Most sinus lift procedures are performed under IV sedation, which means you should be relaxed and unaware of the procedure while it is happening. After your appointment, some swelling and mild discomfort are normal and manageable with the aftercare instructions we provide.
How long does a sinus lift take?
The procedure itself usually takes approximately one hour. The healing period before implants can be placed is typically six to eleven months, depending on how your bone responds to the graft.
What are the risks of a sinus lift?
As with any surgical procedure, there are possible complications. The most common concern is perforation of the sinus membrane during the lifting process, which is why specialist expertise is so important. Our periodontists are highly trained in sinus lift surgery and take a careful, methodical approach to minimize risk at every step.
What happens after the sinus lift heals?
Once your bone has fully matured and we confirm through imaging that the graft has integrated successfully, you will be ready to proceed with dental implant placement. We will coordinate that next stage of your treatment and make sure you know exactly what to expect going forward.
All the surgeries I had done with her (sinus lift and implants) went smoothly, healed fast, and had excellent results.
Dina Theleritis
Google Review
