Key guidance to read first

Sinus lift · sinus inflammation treatment at a glance

What is this treatment?
There is a hollow space called the maxillary sinus above the upper molars. If bone height is insufficient, create space with a sinus lift; if there is inflammation, identify the cause first and determine treatment sequence.
What concerns are addressed?
I need an implant in the upper molar but I was told the bone height is insufficient. I was told 'sinus lift means touching the sinus so it’s difficult.'
What precautions are there?
Postoperative pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, sensory changes, and failure of osseointegration may occur. Bone grafting or sinus surgery carries risks such as graft exposure or mucosal perforation, and varies by individual condition.

Related clinician: Director Kang Do-wook · Periodontics · Integrated Dental Medicine specialist

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BEFORE YOUR VISIT

Preparing for your consultation

A few things to consider before booking.

Tell us during your consultation

  • The affected area, symptoms and when the discomfort began
  • Previous treatment and your main questions now
  • Dates you are available to visit

Helpful items to prepare

  • A list of your medications
  • Previous treatment records or images, if available

Questions to ask

  • Which assessments and treatment choices are relevant to my condition?
  • How can I learn about precautions, costs and appointment schedules for each option?
Contact the clinic

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The Good Morning Dental Clinic 02-969-3776

Read the related guidance
01 / YOUR CONCERNS

Do you have these concerns?

I need an implant in the upper molar but bone height is insufficient.
'Sinus lift means touching the sinus so it’s difficult' I was told.
I extracted an upper molar a long time ago.
I am older and worry about sinus surgery.
I have sinusitis — can I still have an upper implant?
I smell odor after sinus surgery.
Since upper implant placement I feel water goes into my nose when I drink.
Only one nostril is blocked and yellow discharge comes out.
I had ENT treatment for sinusitis but it keeps recurring.
CT showed a cyst in the sinus, I was told.
02 / UNDERSTAND YOUR CARE

What are sinus lifts and sinus inflammation treatment?

There is a hollow space called the maxillary sinus above the upper molars. If bone height is insufficient, create space with a sinus lift; if there is inflammation, identify the cause first and determine treatment sequence.

What is sinus lift?

A sinus lift elevates the thin membrane lining the maxillary sinus and fills the space beneath it with bone graft material to secure height for implant placement. We check remaining bone height, the membrane, and anatomical structures such as septa.

Crestal approach and lateral window approach

The crestal approach accesses from the implant site upward. The lateral approach creates a window in the lateral bone and is considered when height is severely deficient or a wide area is needed. Whether to place implants simultaneously depends on initial stability and bone condition.

Sinus inflammation is classified from the cause

Odontogenic sinusitis may be related to periapical infection of an upper molar root tip or extraction/implant procedures. If the causative tooth is not treated, nasal symptoms can recur. Non-odontogenic sinusitis originating in the nose requires ENT care.

Report one-sided nasal blockage, yellow discharge, cheek pain, or oral/nasal odor. If you feel water going into the nose after surgery, check for oral-sinus fistula and do not delay evaluation.

Order of infection treatment and implant matters

We examine treatment of the causative tooth, medications, drainage/irrigation, or fistula closure as needed. Retentive cysts, fungal sinusitis, or implants migrated into the sinus require evaluation appropriate to the condition and may need ENT collaboration or referral to higher-level hospitals.

Limits and precautions to know

Postoperative pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, sensory changes, and failure of osseointegration may occur. Bone grafting or sinus surgery carries risks such as graft exposure or mucosal perforation, and varies by individual condition.

03 / THE GOOD MORNING WAY

How The Good Morning provides care

  1. We check residual bone, sinus membrane, and septa to determine the approach.
  2. We check sinus inflammation and causative teeth together.
  3. After confirming recovery and osseointegration proceed to the prosthetic stage.
04 / STEP BY STEP

From diagnosis to aftercare: the treatment course.

  1. 01Confirm sinus structure, residual bone, and cause of inflammation
  2. 02If inflamed, treat the cause and confirm recovery
  3. 03Perform lift/grafting; simultaneous placement depends on conditions
  4. 04Confirm bone formation and osseointegration then final prosthesis

Actual sequence and number of visits are adjusted according to test results and recovery.

Consultation tailored to your condition
05 / YOUR QUESTIONS · 17 QUESTIONS

Questions you might have before care.

01If there is inflammation, can upper implants be done?
Not impossible, but sequence differs. Performing sinus lift with inflammation increases infection risk, so clean inflammation and confirm recovery before implantation.
02Why is there odor after sinus surgery?
May indicate remaining or new sinus inflammation. If unilateral with nasal congestion, CBCT confirmation is needed.
03I feel water going into my nose when I drink.
May be an oroantral fistula where oral cavity and sinus are connected — urgent care needed. Do not apply pressure trying to check; treatment varies by size and inflammation.
04Is sinus lift dangerous?
Risks include membrane perforation, bleeding, infection and sinusitis, and graft failure. Choose method after imaging anatomical structures but cannot eliminate risk entirely.
05Why is this surgery needed for upper molar implants?
Because there is a hollow maxillary sinus above the upper molars. Long tooth loss allows the sinus to descend reducing bone height for implants.
06If I have sinusitis why go to the dentist?
Cause may be odontogenic sinusitis from a tooth. Dental exam and ENT evaluation help identify cause and coordinate necessary treatment.
07What's the difference between crestal and lateral approaches?
Crestal approach lifts membrane from the implant site with a smaller incision. Lateral approach creates a window in side bone and is chosen when bone height is greatly deficient or wide area needs work.
08What if the sinus membrane tears?
Address immediately during surgery. Depending on extent, grafting may be postponed and allowed to heal before retrying.
09Can implants be placed simultaneously?
If sufficient remaining bone height can be secured, lift and implantation can be done in one session. If height is very lacking, graft and wait for ossification before later implantation.
10How long until recovery?
Recovery may take months depending on graft scope and healing. Proceed with prosthesis after checking healing and osseointegration; schedule explained individually.
11Can an 80-year-old have sinus lift?
Age alone is not a limit. For elderly patients confirm systemic diseases and medications in advance and plan accordingly.
12Can I blow my nose after surgery?
Avoid forceful nose blowing for a period and sneeze with mouth open, but do not hold sneezes. Pressure can affect surgery site; follow individual guidance.
13What is sinusotomy?
Surgical removal and irrigation of pus and inflamed tissue in the sinus. Performed for chronic inflammation not resolved by drainage alone.
14Is a cyst in the sinus dangerous?
Retention cysts are mostly asymptomatic and monitored. But if large or when planning sinus lift they may be removed beforehand.
15An implant entered the sinus — what to do?
If remaining in the sinus it can cause infection and must be removed. Confirm location, remove it, close the perforation and wait to re-implant later.
16What's the difference between bone graft and sinus lift?
Bone graft reconstructs width and height of alveolar bone; sinus lift raises the sinus membrane to secure height in the upper molar area. They can be done together.
17Can this be done under sedation?
Conscious sedation may help but is not suitable for everyone. Decide after evaluating systemic condition, medications, airway risk and treatment scope; refer to higher-level institutions if needed.

Explore this treatment further

Treatment questions: 17Director’s explanatory videos
Maxillary sinus

Also see related treatments

Advanced bone grafting +Implant re-surgery · re-treatment +Full-mouth implants +Saving natural teeth +Systemic disease implants +Dental terms glossary +
Treatment case publication guidance

This information is for general understanding and does not replace clinician diagnosis. Treatment methods, durations, effects, and side effects vary by individual and require sufficient consultation before care.