What We Hear From Patients Missing Upper Teeth
If any of these sound familiar, you are not stuck with them. Bone can be rebuilt, and so can your bite.
What Waiting Costs Your Jaw
Bone Keeps Shrinking
Once a tooth is gone, the ridge that held it narrows a little more every year.
The Sinus Drops Lower
Without a root beneath it, the sinus gradually expands into the space the tooth left.
Treatment Gets More Involved
Less remaining bone means a larger graft and a longer wait before implants go in.
Nearby Teeth Shift
Neighboring teeth drift and tilt into the gap, complicating how a new tooth must fit.
Costs Add Up Later
More extensive grafting and extra visits raise the total investment over time.
Options Narrow Over Time
Waiting long enough can rule out the simpler approaches available to you today.
The sooner we rebuild the bone, the simpler your path to implants.
What a Sinus Lift Actually Does
A sinus lift adds bone to the upper back jaw, where the roots of your molars once sat. Just above that area sits an air-filled space called the sinus, and its floor drops lower once a tooth has been missing for a while. A sinus lift gently raises that floor and places grafting material underneath, building the height an implant needs to anchor securely.
Every case begins with three-dimensional imaging. Our cone beam CT scanner at Galleria Dentistry maps bone height, sinus position, and nerve pathways before any decision gets made, so the plan for sinus lifts in Naples is built around what your scan actually shows rather than an average case.
Rebuilds bone height in the upper back jaw
Cone beam CT imaging guides treatment planning
Healing typically takes four to nine months
Benefits of Sinus Lifts
Who Benefits Most From a Sinus Lift
Have been told there is not enough bone for an upper implant
Are missing one or more upper back teeth
Want a replacement that stays in place
Have worn an upper denture for several years
Are in good general health and ready to complete treatment
Not Sure Where You Stand
What to Expect During Your Sinus Lift
Consultation and 3D Imaging
Your first visit is a conversation before it is anything else. We examine your upper jaw, review your health history, and capture a cone beam CT scan that shows bone height and sinus position in three dimensions. You will see those images on screen while we walk through what they mean, so you leave knowing exactly what your case involves.
Planning Your Graft
Using your scan, we map how much bone needs to be added and where the grafting material will sit. This is also when we go over comfort options, including nitrous oxide sedation if dental appointments make you anxious, and answer your questions about timing. Nothing gets scheduled until you have approved the plan.
Placing the Graft
On treatment day, the area is numbed thoroughly before we begin, and most patients describe feeling pressure rather than anything sharp. We create a small opening to reach the sinus floor, gently lift the thin lining above it, and place grafting material into the space underneath. The site is closed, and you head home the same day.
Healing and Bone Growth
Over the following months, your body gradually replaces the graft with your own bone. This usually takes four to nine months depending on how much height was needed. You return periodically so we can check progress with follow-up imaging. Beyond your normal oral care routine, there is nothing you need to do during this phase.
Implant Placement
Once your imaging confirms the bone is strong enough, we move to the implant itself. The post is placed into the rebuilt area, and after it fuses with the surrounding bone, your final crown or bridge is attached. You walk out with an upper back tooth that bites, chews, and feels like the one you lost.
Ready to Make Implants Possible Again?
Recovering After a Sinus Lift
First 24 to 48 Hours
Expect mild swelling and some tenderness around the treated area, both of which peak early and then ease. Rest, cold compresses, and soft foods make a noticeable difference. Avoid blowing your nose or drinking through a straw, since pressure changes can disturb the graft. Light activity is fine the next day.
First One to Two Weeks
Swelling continues to fade and eating gets easier as the days pass. You will keep chewing on the opposite side and rinse gently rather than brushing directly over the site. By the end of this stretch, most patients tell us they have largely stopped thinking about it.
Long-Term Healing
The real work happens quietly over the next several months as your body builds new bone. There is nothing to feel during this phase, and you carry on with normal meals and routines. Periodic check-ins with imaging confirm that you are on track for implant placement.
Questions About Recovery? We are happy to help.
Quality Dental Care That Fits Your Budget
Cost should not be the reason treatment waits. We work with three financing companies, so you can spread payments across months that suit your budget rather than paying for everything at once.
NO Credit Score Impact Until Plan Selected.
NO Credit Score Impact Until Plan Selected.
NO Credit Score Impact Until Plan Selected.
Get Approved and Start Your Treatment Today
Sinus Lift FAQs
Does a sinus lift hurt?
How long before I can get my implant?
Why do I need one when my friend did not?
What is the graft material made of?
Is a sinus lift safe?
Will it affect my breathing?
Can I have sedation?
How much time off work will I need?
What if I was told I am not a candidate for implants?
Does dental insurance cover it?
Still Have Questions?
