Bone Grafting and Sinus Lift

Bone grafts and sinus lifts are different procedures that accomplish a similar task. They both create the foundation needed for a successful implant placement. 

A bone graft utilizes bone from a donor tissue or from a place on your own body. The bone is placed under the gum tissue in a quick surgical procedure and allowed to heal. 

A sinus lift is similar, but is only used on the upper teeth. Sometimes our sinus can be in the way of where we need to place an implant. This is when a sinus lift is needed. For this quick procedure, an opening is made in the gum tissue, the sinus membrane is lifted, and bone is packed into the area. This bone will integrate with the surrounding tissue over time to strengthen it. 

Depending on your overall level of health and the health of your jaw tissue, it may take 3-9 months to heal from a sinus lift or bone graft, and for the graft to be stable enough to support a dental implant.

The implant itself will also usually take between 3-6 months to heal, so the total treatment time for a bone graft or sinus lift along with a dental implant is usually about a year, though this may vary.