Sinus Lift Surgery in Ocala
You lost an upper back molar years ago, and now you're ready for a dental implant. The scan comes back and there isn't enough bone height between the top of your jaw and the floor of your sinus to anchor an implant securely. That's a very common situation, and it's exactly what sinus lift surgery is designed to solve. We see it often in our Ocala office, especially in patients who have been missing upper molars or premolars for a long time.
A sinus lift — sometimes called a sinus augmentation — adds bone graft material to the upper jaw in the area beneath the maxillary sinus. The membrane lining the sinus floor is carefully lifted upward, and grafting material is placed in the space created underneath. Over the following months, your body integrates that material, and the result is a thicker, denser ridge of bone that can hold a dental implant.
Why is this needed so often in the upper back jaw? The roots of the upper molars sit close to the sinus cavity. When those teeth are removed or lost, the bone that once supported them begins to shrink, and the sinus can expand downward into the vacated space. Over years, what's left may be too thin to accept an implant. Rather than ruling out implants altogether, a sinus lift rebuilds the foundation so tooth replacement becomes possible.
Most people who come to us for this procedure are considering a single implant, a bridge supported by implants, or a larger full-arch solution. Candidacy depends on the amount of bone you have now, the health of your gums, your sinus anatomy, and your overall health. We evaluate all of this before recommending anything.
Good reasons patients in Ocala pursue a sinus lift include:
- Restoring the ability to chew comfortably on the upper back teeth, where most of your chewing force lands
- Making implants possible where bone height alone would otherwise rule them out
- Supporting implant-supported bridges or full arch implant treatment in the upper jaw
- Preventing the continued shifting of neighboring teeth into a long-standing gap
- Building a stable base so a restoration placed from our on-site dental lab fits and functions well
If gum disease has contributed to bone loss, we may treat that first with scaling and root planing or periodontal therapy. Addressing the gums before grafting gives the graft a healthier environment to heal in.
What the Procedure Involves
Your first visit is an exam and imaging appointment. We look at bone height, sinus position, the condition of adjacent teeth, and your goals for tooth replacement. You'll leave knowing whether a sinus lift is recommended, whether bone grafting elsewhere is also needed, and what the full implant timeline looks like.
On the day of surgery, the area is thoroughly numbed. We offer nitrous oxide sedation and oral sedation for patients who feel anxious about oral surgery — many people are more comfortable knowing that option is available. A small access point is made, the sinus membrane is gently elevated, graft material is placed, and the site is closed. The procedure is typically completed in a single appointment.
Healing takes time. Bone graft material needs several months to mature before an implant can be placed into it, though in some cases where enough existing bone is present, an implant can be placed during the same surgery. We'll tell you clearly which approach applies to your case rather than leaving you guessing.
Recovery and Aftercare
Expect some swelling and tenderness for the first several days. We'll give you specific instructions, which usually include avoiding blowing your nose forcefully, skipping strenuous activity for a short period, sticking to softer foods, and keeping the area clean. Following sinus-specific precautions matters here more than with a routine extraction, because the graft sits directly beneath that membrane.
We schedule follow-up visits to check healing and confirm the graft is integrating as expected. Because we place dental implants here as well, your grafting, implant placement, and final restoration all stay under one roof with the same team — no transferring records between offices, no separate referral for the surgical portion. We accept patients without a referral.
Costs, Insurance, and Scheduling in Ocala
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and file surgical claims as a general practice. We also welcome self-pay and cash patients, and we offer flexible payment plans so a larger implant treatment can be spread out over time instead of paid all at once. We'll go over estimates before treatment begins.
Our practice has served Ocala and surrounding communities including Belleview, Silver Springs, Summerfield, Dunnellon, Marion Oaks, and The Villages for over 30 years. Dr. Hussein Salifu and Dr. Marco Geris see patients of all ages, and we keep room for emergency appointments. If you've been told you don't have enough bone for an upper implant, call us and let's take a look.