The teeth of the posterior upper jaw — second premolars and first and second molars — are anatomically close to the maxillary sinus floor. When these teeth are lost, the already limited bone volume continues to diminish through sinus pneumatisation (progressive expansion). The result: insufficient bone height for standard implant placement. Sinus lifting is the established surgical solution — by elevating the sinus membrane and filling the created space with bone graft material, new implant-bearing bone is built where none existed before.
What Is Sinus Lifting?
Sinus lifting — also called sinus augmentation or sinus floor elevation — is a surgical procedure that raises the Schneiderian membrane (the mucosal lining of the maxillary sinus) to create a space beneath it. This space is filled with bone graft material: autogenous bone, xenograft (bovine), or allograft. Over time the material undergoes ossification — converting into living bone — and sufficient bone height forms to support dental implants. Sinus lifting is one of the most frequently performed oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures worldwide.
Open vs Closed Techniques
In the closed technique (Summers osteotome), specially designed osteotome instruments push the sinus floor upward through the implant osteotomy site — no lateral incision is made. This is possible when residual bone height is ≥5–6 mm; sinus lifting and implant placement occur in the same surgical session. In the open (lateral window) technique, a small oval window is cut in the buccal wall of the sinus, the Schneiderian membrane is elevated under direct vision, and a larger volume of graft material is placed. This approach is indicated when residual bone is <5 mm. In the piezoelectric (piezo-sinus) technique, an ultrasonic piezo device cuts through the bone window without damaging soft tissue — significantly reducing the risk of membrane perforation, which is the most common complication of sinus lifting.
Who Needs Sinus Lifting?
The indication for sinus lifting is based on bone height measurements from CBCT imaging. When the distance from the sinus floor to the alveolar crest is <8–10 mm, a standard-length implant cannot be safely placed. Additional indications include a pneumatised (expanded) sinus, multiple missing posterior upper teeth, and bone atrophy from prolonged edentulism. Contraindications include active sinusitis, uncontrolled diabetes, immune deficiency, and continued smoking without cessation commitment.
The Role of Digital Planning
CBCT imaging is the foundation of sinus lifting planning. Sinus volume, Schneiderian membrane thickness, sinus floor morphology, and the presence of septa (bony partitions within the sinus) are all visible in the 3D model. In 3Shape Implant Studio, the sinus lifting procedure is simulated: how much graft material is required, the final implant position, and the surgical guide design are all planned taking the post-lift anatomy into account. This integration optimises both the augmentation procedure and the implant position within a single planning session — the plan at the operating table reflects the complete treatment from first incision to final restoration.
Healing Timeline
After an open sinus lift, 4–6 months of healing time is required for the graft material to ossify before implant placement. Osseointegration then adds a further 3–4 months. In the closed technique, the implant is placed in the same session; healing time equals the standard osseointegration period. Post-operative swelling after conventional open sinus lifting may last slightly longer than after piezoelectric technique — but in both approaches, patient comfort with modern anaesthetic and pain management protocols is high.
Conclusion
Sinus lifting is an indispensable element of implantology in the posterior upper jaw. An implant placed without adequate bone height carries a compromised long-term prognosis; sinus augmentation resolves this fundamentally. At Digital Implant in Baku, every sinus lifting procedure is planned with CBCT analysis, 3D sinus simulation, and piezoelectric technology — membrane preservation, minimal trauma, and accelerated healing are the primary clinical priorities.