Sinus Lift & Sinus Augmentation · Bonney Lake, WA
Creating bone height for implants in the upper back jaw.
When you’ve been missing upper back teeth for years, there often isn’t enough bone between the gum line and the sinus floor to place an implant. Sinus lift surgery builds that height back, so implants can be placed where they otherwise couldn’t.
At a glance
What a sinus lift involves, before you read further.
The practical details most patients want to know first.
Procedure
Sinus Augmentation
Lateral or crestal
Crestal sinus lifts may be combined with implant placement when appropriate. Sinus lifts are included in the $15,000-per-arch full-arch offer. Your examination determines the treatment sequence.
Why sinus lifts exist
Why upper back teeth run out of bone.
It comes down to a piece of anatomy sitting right where an implant needs to go, and what happens to the bone once a tooth is gone.
The maxillary sinus is an air-filled cavity in the upper jaw, positioned directly above your molars and premolars. Its floor, the bottom of the sinus, sits just above the roots of your upper back teeth. When those teeth are healthy, there’s usually enough bone between the sinus floor and the gum line to anchor an implant.
When a tooth is extracted or lost to disease, the bone that supported it resorbs over time and the sinus floor often drifts lower, leaving too little bone height to place an implant safely.
Most upper posterior implants need at least 8–10mm of bone height. Long-term denture wearers often have only 2–5mm left.
A sinus lift solves this by gently elevating the sinus membrane and placing graft material between the membrane and the existing bone, rebuilding the height an implant needs. Without it, the alternatives are usually to forgo implants in those positions or move to a remote-anchorage protocol. For most cases, a sinus lift is the more conservative, effective route.
The core clinical reason
The maxillary sinus sits directly above your upper back teeth.
The sinus floor is the ceiling of your bone. When there’s healthy tooth structure below it, that ceiling stays high and there’s room for an implant. Once the teeth are gone, the floor tends to drop and the bone thins, which is exactly why upper posterior sites so often need augmentation before an implant is possible.
A sinus lift raises the sinus membrane and adds graft beneath it, increasing vertical bone height.
The graft integrates with your native bone over roughly 4–9 months for lateral-window cases.
It restores enough height for standard-length implants, rather than compromising on placement.
Which approach you need is confirmed with 3D imaging, not guessed at from a questionnaire.
Two surgical approaches
Lateral window or crestal approach.
A sinus lift is performed through one of two approaches, chosen by how much height needs to be added and the anatomy of your case. Both reach the same outcome, more bone for a successful implant.
Approach 01 · Lateral Window
Lateral window sinus lift.
Used when significant bone height is needed, typically more than 5mm. A small window is made in the cheek-side wall of the upper jaw; through it, the sinus membrane is gently elevated and graft material placed in the space created. Direct visualization allows precise placement.
Best for
Less than ~5mm bone remaining
Healing to implant
4–9 months
Implant timing
Usually a separate, later visit
When it’s used. When existing bone height is significantly compromised and there is too little native bone to stabilize an implant at the same visit.
Approach 02 · Crestal
Crestal (osteotome) sinus lift.
Used when only a modest amount of height is needed, typically 2–4mm. Access is through the crest of the ridge, right where the implant will sit, using osteotome instruments to lift the sinus floor without a separate window. Less invasive, shorter recovery.
Best for
Borderline 5–7mm bone height
Recovery
Shorter than lateral window
Implant timing
Often placed the same day
When it’s used. When existing height is borderline and only modest elevation is needed, frequently combined with simultaneous implant placement.
What to expect
The procedure, plainly explained.
A sinus lift is performed under IV sedation in our office. Most patients are surprised by how routine it feels, recovery is typically less involved than expected, particularly for crestal approaches.
Anesthesia and timing
IV sedation in our office. Lateral window sinus lifts typically take 60–90 minutes; crestal sinus lifts take 30–45 minutes. You’ll be asleep for the procedure and need a driver to take you home afterward.
The procedure itself
For lateral window cases, a small access window is opened in the side of the upper jaw, the sinus membrane is gently elevated, graft material is placed, and the window is closed with a membrane and sutured gum tissue. For crestal cases, specialized instruments elevate the sinus floor through the implant site itself.
Healing timeline
Mild to moderate swelling and discomfort for 4–7 days. Bone integration takes 4–9 months for lateral window cases before implant placement; crestal cases with simultaneous implant placement integrate during the standard implant healing period.
Sinus precautions
For 2–3 weeks while the membrane heals: no nose blowing, no drinking through straws, and no activities involving air-pressure changes, including flying, scuba diving, and swimming underwater. Soft food diet for the first week, prescribed antibiotics for sinus protection, and follow-ups at 1 week and 3–4 months.
Authoritative reference
AAOMS: dental implant surgery & sinus augmentation
Patient education on bone grafting, sinus augmentation, and pre-implant preparation from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the national professional organization Dr. Volland is a member of.
Cost & insurance
What it costs, and what’s typically covered.
Sinus lift cost varies with approach, materials, and complexity. We verify your specific coverage before treatment and provide a written estimate of patient responsibility.
Typical fee range
$500–$3,500
By approach · crestal to standalone lateral window
Crestal sinus lift at implant placement: adds $500–$1,500 to the implant procedure
Lateral window as a standalone procedure: typically $1,500–$3,500
Bilateral cases increase the total fee, though the second side is often less than a full second charge
For full-arch cases, sinus lifts are quoted in writing before any surgical date
Insurance & coverage
Coverage varies by plan
Some dental plans cover sinus augmentation as a major service when it’s part of pre-implant preparation; others exclude it. Medical insurance occasionally covers sinus lifts when documented as medically necessary.
We verify your specific coverage before treatment
Written estimate of any patient responsibility
Additional cost quoted in writing, never a surprise after treatment
HSA / FSA funds are eligible for sinus augmentation expenses
Patient Reviews
Trusted By Patients. Rated 5.0 On Google.
“I really appreciated how attentive and detailed Dr. Volland and his team were when answering questions and sharing what the experience would be like when getting my wisdom teeth removed. I felt very at ease during and after the procedure because of their reassurance despite being uneasy initially.”
“Dr. Volland is amazing! Had a great journey getting my wisdom teeth removed and a bone graft done. All the staff are super nice and make you feel at home. Recovery was quick, and I could tell I was in expert hands.”
“I was very nervous going into the procedure. Dr. Volland was absolutely amazing. He was kind, reassuring, and took the time to make me feel comfortable every step of the way. The procedure was quick, smooth, and much easier than I expected.”
“I cannot say enough about Dr. Volland. He is so thorough and caring. He truly listens to patients, making every visit feel special. Got my all-on-x treatment done, and the results are amazing!”
“The calm atmosphere and confidence of the dr and assistant was reassuring. The extraction was painless and they were attentive to me throughout the procedure. They made the entire experience as comfortable as possible.”
“Dr. Volland was super professional during my consult. Definitely recommend him for anyone in the Sumner area looking for dental implants. Talked through everything in detail. He truly knows his stuff!”
“I really appreciated how attentive and detailed Dr. Volland and his team were when answering questions and sharing what the experience would be like when getting my wisdom teeth removed. I felt very at ease during and after the procedure because of their reassurance despite being uneasy initially.”
“Dr. Volland is amazing! Had a great journey getting my wisdom teeth removed and a bone graft done. All the staff are super nice and make you feel at home. Recovery was quick, and I could tell I was in expert hands.”
“I was very nervous going into the procedure. Dr. Volland was absolutely amazing. He was kind, reassuring, and took the time to make me feel comfortable every step of the way. The procedure was quick, smooth, and much easier than I expected.”
“I cannot say enough about Dr. Volland. He is so thorough and caring. He truly listens to patients, making every visit feel special. Got my all-on-x treatment done, and the results are amazing!”
“The calm atmosphere and confidence of the dr and assistant was reassuring. The extraction was painless and they were attentive to me throughout the procedure. They made the entire experience as comfortable as possible.”
“Dr. Volland was super professional during my consult. Definitely recommend him for anyone in the Sumner area looking for dental implants. Talked through everything in detail. He truly knows his stuff!”
“Dr. Volland did an amazing job! The procedure was quick, completely painless, and I was in and out in no time. My recovery was also very fast and pain-free. Highly recommend!”
“Dr. Volland is as professional as he is kind. His extractions are quick and easy, implants are successful and look great, and IV sedation makes the whole process go off without a hitch.”
“Dr. Volland was so gentle and made sure I was comfortable during my implant surgery. He's the only Dr I'll trust with my oral surgery needs!”
“I went in for a dental implant under sedation and it was absolutely painless! It was so easy and smooth. I can't thank him enough!”
“Our family had an excellent experience with Dr. Volland and his team. Dr. Volland personally took a call from me when we got home and answered my questions. His commitment to patient care is outstanding.”
“Dr. Volland did an amazing job! The procedure was quick, completely painless, and I was in and out in no time. My recovery was also very fast and pain-free. Highly recommend!”
“Dr. Volland is as professional as he is kind. His extractions are quick and easy, implants are successful and look great, and IV sedation makes the whole process go off without a hitch.”
“Dr. Volland was so gentle and made sure I was comfortable during my implant surgery. He's the only Dr I'll trust with my oral surgery needs!”
“I went in for a dental implant under sedation and it was absolutely painless! It was so easy and smooth. I can't thank him enough!”
“Our family had an excellent experience with Dr. Volland and his team. Dr. Volland personally took a call from me when we got home and answered my questions. His commitment to patient care is outstanding.”
Opening January 2027
Sometimes there’s a way around the sinus lift entirely.
A sinus lift is the most conservative option for most upper posterior cases, but not the only one. Short-implant protocols can place implants in 6–7mm of bone in certain positions, avoiding augmentation altogether when bone quality and bite allow. For full-arch patients with severe upper-jaw atrophy, zygomatic implants anchor into the cheekbone instead of the maxilla, eliminating the sinus lift and its months of healing. Which path fits your case depends on bone quality, position, and load, discussed openly at consultation, with 3D imaging in front of us.
Common Questions
Questions worth asking.
Sinus lift surgery is typically performed with IV sedation and local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Mild to moderate swelling and tenderness are common for 4 to 7 days and can usually be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medications. As with any surgery, there are risks. One of the more common complications is a small perforation of the sinus membrane, which can often be repaired during the procedure without affecting the final outcome. Long-term success rates are high when the procedure is appropriately planned and performed.
Sinus lifts are included in the $15,000-per-arch full-arch offer, along with extractions, IV sedation, bone grafting if needed and final zirconia teeth. For a standalone sinus lift or single-tooth treatment, request a case-specific written estimate at consultation; the full-arch offer does not define standalone fees.
It depends on the surgical approach. Lateral window sinus lifts typically require several months of healing before implant placement, depending on the graft and individual healing. Crestal sinus lifts may allow the implant to be placed at the same time as the elevation. Whether simultaneous placement is appropriate depends on your existing bone quality and the amount of elevation required. We will determine the timing after reviewing your 3D imaging during consultation.
In some cases, yes. Modern short-implant protocols allow placement in 6–7mm of bone in certain positions, avoiding the need for sinus augmentation. The trade-off is that short implants may have slightly different long-term outcomes than standard-length implants in adequate bone, and not every site is appropriate. Whether short implants are an option for your case depends on bone quality (not just quantity), the position being implanted, and the loading characteristics of your bite, discussed at your consultation.
For full-arch patients with severe maxillary atrophy, zygomatic implants are an alternative to extensive sinus lift surgery. They anchor into the cheekbone (zygoma) instead of the maxilla itself, eliminating the need for sinus augmentation and the months of healing it requires. Zygomatic implants are typically reserved for full-arch cases with severe atrophy, not for individual posterior implant placement. For one or two upper posterior implants, a sinus lift is usually the more appropriate approach.
Avoid flying and significant air-pressure changes for 2–3 weeks after surgery. The healing sinus membrane is vulnerable to pressure changes during the initial healing period, and flying can potentially disrupt the graft material before it stabilizes. Plan your surgery date with travel schedules in mind. For patients traveling from a distance, we’ll discuss the recovery timeline and travel restrictions clearly at consultation so you can plan accordingly.
It depends on your plan and how the procedure is coded. Some dental plans treat sinus augmentation as a major service when it is documented as part of pre-implant preparation, usually with a waiting period and an annual maximum that the implant itself also draws against. Others exclude bone grafting entirely. Medical insurance occasionally covers a sinus lift when there is a documented medical need beyond implant preparation. We verify your specific benefits before treatment and give you a written estimate of what you would owe, so there is no guessing after surgery.
Opening January 2027
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9907 205th Ave E · Bonney Lake, WA 98391
(206) 738-2503
