Sinus Lift for Implants in Charlotte, NC
Losing a molar or premolar in the upper back jaw creates a problem that goes beyond appearance. Once that tooth is gone, the bone beneath it starts to shrink, and the sinus cavity above it can gradually expand downward into that space. For many patients, this leaves too little bone height to support a dental implant safely, closing off what would otherwise be the most stable, long-term way to replace a missing tooth.
At Toothology Dental, Dr. Alin Gorgan performs sinus lift procedures as part of our comprehensive scope of dental implants in Charlotte, rebuilding the bone needed to support an implant safely and predictably. Patients who were told elsewhere that they were not implant candidates due to insufficient bone often find that a sinus lift changes that answer.
What Is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation, is a surgical procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw in the area of the premolars and molars, where the maxillary sinuses sit closest to the jawbone. Dr. Gorgan gently lifts the sinus membrane and places bone graft material into the space created, building the height and density an implant post needs to anchor securely.
A 15-year retrospective study published through the National Library of Medicine found a 98.3 percent success rate for sinus bone grafts and a 97.2 percent success rate for the implants placed in them, figures that held steady regardless of which graft material was used. That kind of long-term predictability is part of why sinus lifts remain the standard solution when bone loss in the upper jaw stands between a patient and a lasting implant.
Signs You May Need a Sinus Lift
Not every patient missing an upper back tooth needs this extra step, and the only way to know for certain is a full evaluation with imaging. Dr. Gorgan reviews each case individually, since the amount of bone loss varies from patient to patient depending on how long a tooth has been missing.
You may be a candidate for a sinus lift if any of the following apply to your situation.
- You have been missing an upper molar or premolar for an extended period of time
- A previous evaluation elsewhere ruled out an implant due to low bone height
- Imaging shows the sinus sitting close to the ridge where an implant is planned
- You have experienced noticeable bone loss following an old extraction
If any of these sound familiar, a consultation with imaging is the clearest next step toward finding out whether a sinus lift can open the door to an implant.
How the Procedure Works at Toothology Dental
Dr. Gorgan begins with detailed imaging to measure the exact bone height available and plan the graft accordingly. Depending on how much bone is needed, the sinus lift and implant post can sometimes be placed in the same visit, though cases with more significant bone loss typically call for the graft to heal on its own first, before the implant is placed in a second procedure.
Once the graft has integrated with the surrounding bone, which generally takes several months, the implant post can be placed or restored if it was positioned earlier. From there, treatment moves forward the same way as any other dental implant case, with a custom crown completing the restoration once healing is confirmed. This same in-house approach to restorative dentistry is part of what allows patients to stay with one trusted provider from consultation through a finished smile.
Same-Day Options for Qualifying Patients
Some patients with adequate remaining bone height may be candidates for same-day dental implants, where the sinus lift, implant placement, and a temporary restoration are completed in far fewer visits than the traditional staged approach. Whether this accelerated timeline is realistic depends entirely on the imaging findings from your consultation, and Dr. Gorgan will walk you through exactly what your case allows before any treatment begins.
For patients missing several teeth in the upper arch, a sinus lift can also support a broader treatment plan, including a full arch of replacement teeth anchored to a smaller number of implant posts.
Meet Dr. Gorgan
Dr. Alin Gorgan brings a comprehensive scope of care to every implant case, handling everything from the bone graft itself through the final restoration without referring patients out to a separate specialist. New and returning patients alike can review financing options before committing to treatment, and many find it helpful to read patient reviews from others who have gone through implant treatment at our office.
Schedule Your Sinus Lift Consultation at Toothology Dental
If you have been told your bone height is too limited for a dental implant, that answer may no longer be true. Toothology Dental offers in-house sinus lift procedures as part of Dr. Gorgan’s comprehensive approach to implant dentistry, so you can move from consultation through a fully restored smile without being referred elsewhere for the bone graft itself.
Dr. Gorgan will review your imaging, explain exactly what your case requires, and lay out a clear timeline before any treatment begins, all with the same judgment-free, patient-first approach that defines every visit at Toothology Dental. Contact our Charlotte office today to schedule your consultation and find out if a sinus lift can open the door to the implant you’ve been told wasn’t possible.
