A sinus lift is a foundation procedure, not a diagnosis.
The plan matters more than the material.
An exam confirms foundation limits and long term risk. That is what protects options.
Call today vs urgent medical evaluation
- Pressure or swelling is increasing after surgery
- You feel drainage or a bad taste with pressure
- Pain is rapidly worsening
- Fluid seems to move between mouth and nose
- You feel sick and oral symptoms are present
- Swelling is spreading into the face or neck
- Fever occurs or you feel sick
- Swallowing feels difficult
- Breathing feels affected
This page helps you understand sinus lift decisions. It does not replace an exam. If you are unsure, a calm evaluation is the right move.
Common situations and what they can mean
| Situation | Common reason | Urgency | Structural risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| You were told there is not enough upper back tooth bone for an implant | Sinus space expanded and bone height is limited after tooth loss | Schedule evaluation | MEDIUM |
| A missing upper molar has been gone for a long time | Bone height can shrink and the sinus can drift downward | Schedule evaluation | HIGH |
| You want implants but the plan mentions grafting | Graft may be needed to create a stable implant foundation | Schedule evaluation | MEDIUM |
| You recently had a sinus lift and pressure or swelling is increasing | Inflammation, bleeding, or infection needs evaluation early | Call today | HIGH |
| Fluid passes between mouth and nose, or you feel air movement where it should not be | Communication between areas needs urgent evaluation | Call today | HIGH |
| You have foul taste, drainage, or worsening pain after surgery | Infection risk or sinus irritation needs evaluation | Call today | HIGH |
| You have spreading swelling or fever | Medical urgency comes before planning dentistry | Urgent medical evaluation | HIGH |
Situations guide planning. The exam confirms foundation limits. Guessing often creates repeat dentistry and higher maintenance.
Why sinus lifts exist
Upper back tooth implants depend on bone height. When a tooth has been missing, the foundation can shrink and the sinus space can expand downward.
Do not confuse “not enough bone” with “no options.”
The decision is about how to build a stable foundation without creating unnecessary risk.
Who benefits from a sinus lift
Sinus lifts are considered when a missing upper back tooth should be replaced and the implant foundation is not tall enough for a stable plan.
The goal is stability, not just placing an implant.
We confirm bone height, width, sinus shape, and whether the plan can stay stable under real chewing forces.
Timing and sequencing
Some cases allow implant placement at the same time. Other cases are safer staged. Timing is a stability decision.
If inflammation risk is high, rushing increases complication risk.
We evaluate infection risk, tissue condition, and the amount of foundation needed before choosing timing.
Sinus anatomy and limits
Sinus anatomy varies. The membrane, the sinus shape, and nearby anatomy can change what is realistic.
If a plan ignores anatomy limits, the long term outcome is less predictable.
Imaging helps us plan implant position, graft volume, and the safest path to stability.
Healing and what stability means
Healing is about becoming stable enough for the next step. The timeline depends on how much foundation is being created and what the force system looks like during healing.
Protecting the site during healing is part of the procedure.
We plan temporary function and bite management so the foundation is not overloaded while it is trying to stabilize.
Force and bite stability
Foundation procedures still live inside a bite system. If forces are unstable, stability drops even with good graft work.
If you clench or grind, force planning matters.
We look at bite contacts, guidance, and whether protection is needed to keep the plan stable over time.
Maintenance reality
The long term goal is a stable implant system. That includes cleanability, recall rhythm, and inflammation control.
If maintenance is not realistic, the long term risk shifts fast.
We align the plan with what you can actually maintain long term.
Alternatives and tradeoffs
A sinus lift is not always the best path. Sometimes a different implant plan works. Sometimes a bridge or partial is more realistic. Sometimes leaving a space alone is acceptable if the system stays stable.
The best option is the one that stays stable in your real life.
We compare options through structure, force, time, and stability, not through a single feature.
What we evaluate (Structure, Force, Time, Stability)
We do not choose a sinus lift well by guessing. We evaluate the foundation, the force system, the timeline, and the long term maintenance reality.
If you want the deeper decision layer, our Structural Decision Framework explains how we evaluate stability before irreversible treatment.
Why acting too fast can be harmful
Foundation procedures can feel urgent when you want implants. But irreversible treatment should not be chosen by speed alone.
We do not recommend irreversible treatment based on symptoms alone.
We confirm first. Then we choose the cleanest next step. That is how you avoid repeat dentistry and protect future options.
What you can do right now
If it is not urgent:
- Avoid chewing hard foods on that side if it is tender
- Keep the area clean and reduce inflammation triggers
- Schedule a visit for evaluation and imaging
Track these details before your visit:
- How long the tooth has been missing
- Whether chewing has shifted to other areas
- Any sinus history or recurring congestion on that side
- Whether symptoms are stable or escalating
If pain is severe or swelling is present:
- Call us
- Do not wait for it to go away on its own
Frequently asked questions
These scenarios show how thresholds shift when structure changes over time under force.