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Our Services

Sinus lift surgery

At Harley Street Implant Centre we are specialists in a variety of dental implants including simple tooth implants through to sinus lift surgery.

What are your sinuses?

Your sinuses are air filled pockets that are found in the bones of the face. The sinus that is relevant for dental implants is the maxillary sinus, which is the pocket of air that is found in the upper jaw, just posterior to your cheek bones. 

Why would you need a sinus lift?

When teeth are lost or extracted, the bone that once supported them can diminish over time, leading to insufficient bone volume for dental implant placement.

What is a sinus lift procedure?

 A sinus lift procedure, also known as sinus graft surgery, is a dental procedure designed to augment the bone that lines the sinus spaces in preparation for implant.

Sinus grafting involves gaining access to your maxillary sinus (upper jaw) through your mouth. The membrane lining your sinus is then elevated upwards, creating space for a synthetic bone graft material to be placed. This will then provide sufficient bone height for implant placement.

It may be possible to simultaneously place implants at the time of sinus grafting. If it is not possible to place your implant at this stage, you may need a further surgical procedure to place the implants 6-9 months later.

Sinus lift procedure at Harley Street Implant Centre

During your initial consultation, our experienced team will evaluate your oral health, take detailed imaging, and discuss your treatment goals. This assessment helps determine if sinus grafting is the right solution for you.

1. Treatment Planning

Our team will develop a personalised treatment plan based on the evaluation results. This plan will outline the specifics of the sinus lift procedure, including the type of bone graft material to be used and the timeline for the treatment

2. Sinus Lift

The sinus lift procedure involves making a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the jawbone. The sinus membrane is gently lifted upwards, and bone graft material is placed in the newly created space between the membrane and the jawbone. This added bone material will integrate with the existing bone over time.Sometimes we will place the implant at this stage.

3. Healing Period

After the sinus grafting procedure, a healing period is necessary to allow the bone graft to fuse with the natural bone. This typically takes several months, during which the patient's overall health and bone quality are monitored.

4. Implant Placement

Once the healing process is complete, dental implants can be securely placed in the augmented bone. These implants serve as stable anchors for prosthetic teeth, restoring both function and aesthetics.

Exposing the sinus membrane

This is getting access to the sinus membrane through the mouth.

The sinus "lift"

The process of lifting the sinus membrane upwards.

Bone graft

Now we insert bone graft material into the space between the membrane and the jawbone.

Implant Installation

This will either happen on the day or surgery, or following a period of healing.

What are the benefits of sinus lifting?

1. Improved Bone Density

Sinus lift surgery allows for the augmentation of bone density in the upper jaw, where bone loss may have occurred due to factors such as tooth loss, peridontal disease or extraction.

2. Enhanced Stability for Implants

By providing adequate bone support, sinus lift surgery increases the stability and longevity of dental implants placed in the posterior maxilla. This can result in better outcomes for implant supported restorations, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.

3. More Treatment Options

Patients with insufficient bone volume in the upper jaw may have limited options for tooth replacement. Sinus lift surgery expands the range of treatment options by creating a suitable foundation for dental implant placement, even in cases of significant bone loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sinus lift surgery is recommended for patients who have reduced bone in the posterior maxilla (upper jaw) due to factors such as tooth loss, periodontal disease, or bone resorption. It is necessary to provide adequate bone support for dental implants in this area.

Sinus lift surgery is typically performed under local anaesthesia, so patients should not experience pain during the procedure. At Harley Street Implant Centre we also have the option to provide sedation techniques for those patients who experience dental phobia.

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with sinus lift surgery, including infection, bleeding, sinusitis, perforation of the sinus membrane, and failure of the bone graft to integrate properly. However, complications are rare when the surgery is performed by a skilled and experienced oral surgeon such as Dr James.

Patient booking portal

Dr James is taking appointments for dental implants, oral surgery and sedation dentistry in London.   Follow the link below to book an appointment and kick-start your journey to that winning smile!

Dental referral portal

Are you a dentist looking to refer for specialist services? Dr James is taking dental referrals for specialist services including dental implants, IV sedation and advanced oral surgery. Click below to access our secure referral portal!

we are open for bookings!

Dr James is taking bookings for quality dental implants in London​

Do you want to book into see Dr James? Contact us through our contact form. We will aim to get back to you within 48 hours

Our location

46 Harley Street, London W1G 9PT, UK

Opening Hours

Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm
Sat: 10am-6pm

Contact

Phone: 02045 535441
Email: [email protected]