Sinus Lift for Dental Implants

Adding bone at the back of the upper jaw so an implant can be placed.

Sinus Lift at St Ives Smiles Dentistry

The maxillary sinus, an air-filled space at the back of the upper jaw, limits how much bone is available for a dental implant, especially once a tooth has been missing for a while. A sinus lift adds bone to that area so an implant can be placed.

This only applies at the back of the upper jaw. The front teeth and lower jaw aren’t affected. At St Ives Smiles Dentistry, Dr Hockey uses 3D imaging to work out whether one is needed before treatment begins.

At a glance

What it does: Adds bone at the back of the upper jaw so a dental implant can be placed
When it’s needed: When the maxillary sinus leaves too little natural bone for an implant
What’s used: Your own bone, biomaterials, or a combination, depending on the case
Cost: Starts from $1,000

Why the Back of the Upper Jaw Sometimes Needs Extra Bone

The maxillary sinus, an air-filled space above the back teeth, limits how much bone is naturally available once teeth are missing in that part of the upper jaw. Insufficient bone volume is a common problem when planning implants in this specific area, caused both by the sinus itself and by bone loss that follows tooth loss.

A sinus lift addresses this by increasing bone volume in that space, using the patient's own bone, biomaterials, or a combination of both. This is specific to the back of the upper jaw. It doesn't apply to the front teeth or the lower jaw, both of which sit outside the scope of this particular procedure.

What Is a Sinus Lift?

A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that increases bone volume at the back of the upper jaw, used specifically where the maxillary sinus has left too little bone height to place a dental implant securely. The bone used can come from elsewhere in the patient's own body, from a biomaterial, or a mix of the two, depending on the case.

A sinus lift is one type of bone grafting procedure, scoped to this one area of the mouth rather than a stand-in term for bone grafting generally. For the broader picture, see our bone grafting page.

Who performs this

Who Performs Sinus Lifts at St Ives Smiles Dentistry?

Dr Jeremy Hockey performs sinus lifts at St Ives Smiles. He is a general dentist who holds FICOI, Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, reflecting additional training in implant-related dentistry.

As with any surgical procedure here, treatment starts with an individual assessment of your sinus anatomy and bone volume at an implant consultation, usually supported by 3D imaging taken in-house.

Is a Sinus Lift Surgery? What Are the Risks?

A sinus lift is a surgical procedure, and like any oral surgery it carries some risk, such as swelling, discomfort or infection at the site. Dr Hockey talks through the risks that apply to your case, and what to expect in recovery, before you decide whether to go ahead.

Is a Sinus Lift Always Needed?

A sinus lift isn't automatically required just because there's limited bone at the back of the upper jaw. In some cases, a shorter dental implant can be used instead.

There's no universal rule that applies to every case. Whether a sinus lift, a shorter implant, or another approach suits you is something Dr Hockey works out from your own anatomy and treatment goals, not from a standard protocol applied to everyone.

What Does a Sinus Lift Cost at St Ives Smiles Dentistry?

A sinus lift at St Ives Smiles starts from $1,000. An implant consultation, where Dr Hockey assesses whether a sinus lift applies to you, starts from $360, and a single dental implant, placed once the graft has healed, starts from $6,000.

3D imaging

Sinus Lift Planning and 3D Imaging

A sinus lift is usually planned with imaging that can show the sinus and surrounding bone in three dimensions, rather than a flat X-ray. St Ives Smiles has an in-house CBCT (cone beam CT) scanner, giving Dr Hockey a clear view of the sinus floor and available bone height before recommending treatment. Our dental technology page covers CBCT and the other imaging tools used across the practice.

In-house 3D CBCT and OPG dental imaging machine at St Ives Smiles Dentistry

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a sinus lift the same as a bone graft?

A sinus lift is one specific type of bone graft, limited to the back of the upper jaw where the maxillary sinus sits. Bone grafting is the broader term for augmentation anywhere else bone is needed for an implant. See our bone grafting page for that wider picture.

Which sinus lift technique or graft material will be used?

Dr Hockey selects the technique and material that suit your anatomy and treatment plan, and explains the approach he recommends at your consultation.

What happens after a sinus lift?

After a sinus lift, the augmented area needs time to heal before an implant can be placed there, and healing takes different amounts of time from one case to the next rather than following one fixed schedule. Dr Hockey talks through what to expect for your specific procedure at consultation, since no single published timeline applies to every patient.

Book a Consultation

If you've been told the back of your upper jaw doesn't have enough bone for an implant, a sinus lift may be part of the plan Dr Hockey discusses with you. Dental implants at St Ives Smiles start with that kind of individual assessment, whatever it turns out to involve for you.

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