How a Sinus Lift Can Improve Your Chances of Dental Implant Success

Dental implants are more common today than ever. And they’re one of the best ways to replace missing teeth. But not every patient has enough jawbone to support them, especially in the upper back teeth near the sinuses. That’s where a sinus lift comes in. At our Charlottesville Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, we often recommend this procedure to help patients build the strong foundation implants need.

Why Bone Support Matters for Implants

Implants act like artificial tooth roots. For them to succeed as anchors, they must attach firmly into healthy bone. Without that support, implants can loosen, shift, or fail entirely. Unfortunately, the upper jaw often has less bone height than other areas, which can make implants tricky.

Bone loss in this area can happen for several reasons:

• Natural sinus expansion that takes up the space where roots once were
• Gum disease that weakens bone structure over time
• Tooth loss that leads to gradual bone shrinkage

If the bone isn’t reinforced before implant placement, there’s a risk that the implant could drift into the sinus cavity instead of staying securely rooted.

What a Sinus Lift Does

A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation, creates the extra bone height implants need. Here’s how it works:

• A small incision is made in the upper gum, near where the implant will go.
• The sinus membrane is gently raised, creating new space between the sinus and the jawbone.
• Bone graft material (from your own bone, a donor, or synthetic sources) is placed in that space.
• Over several months, the graft fuses with your natural bone, increasing height and density.

The result is a stronger, thicker jawbone that can securely hold implants for years to come.

Timing Your Sinus Lift and Implant Placement

Every patient is different. In some cases, dental implants can be placed at the same time as a sinus lift. More often, though, we recommend waiting several months (usually six to nine) for the grafted bone to heal and strengthen. Once healed, the implants can be placed with much greater confidence in their long-term success.

Why a Sinus Lift Improves Implant Success

Adding bone to the upper jaw makes your dental implants more reliable overall. With a sinus lift, patients experience:

• Improved stability for implants that function like natural teeth
• Lower risk of complications, like implants shifting into the sinus cavity
• Longer-lasting results, reducing the chance of implant failure or repeat procedures

We’re Your Trusted Sinus Augmentation Dentist in Charlottesville

If you’ve been wondering if you have enough bone for dental implants, we’ll evaluate your jawbone and design a plan that sets you up for success. Contact us to learn whether a sinus lift can help you get that healthy smile you deserve.