This procedure involves elevating the sinus membrane and placing the bone graft onto the sinus floor, allowing implants to be placed in the back part of the upper jaw. Premature loss of upper back teeth result in a down growth of the maxillary sinus floor. So that implants of adequate length may be placed, the floor of the sinus is elevated and supported by bone graft material. It may take 6-9 months for the graft to take prior to implant placement.
If enough bone between the upper jaw ridge and the bottom of the sinus is available to stabilize the implant well, sinus augmentations and implant placement can sometimes be performed as a single procedure. If not enough bone is available, the sinus augmentation will have to be performed first, then the graft will have to mature for several months, depending upon the type of graft material used. Once the graft has matured, the implants can be placed.