Sinus Lift Surgery in The Villages
If you've been told you don't have enough bone in your upper jaw for a dental implant, you're not at a dead end. That message usually means the floor of your sinus sits too close to where an implant needs to go — a common finding when back upper molars have been missing for years. A sinus lift adds the height needed so an implant has solid bone to anchor into. We perform this procedure for patients from The Villages who want fixed teeth in the upper back jaw rather than a removable partial.
The upper molars and premolars sit directly beneath the maxillary sinuses, which are air-filled spaces in the cheekbones. When an upper back tooth is lost, the bone that once held its roots begins to shrink, and the sinus cavity tends to expand downward into that space. Over time, what remains between the mouth and the sinus can be a thin shelf of bone — not enough to hold an implant securely.
A sinus lift, also called a sinus augmentation, raises the membrane that lines the floor of the sinus and places bone grafting material in the space created underneath. Over several months, that material integrates with your natural bone and becomes a stable foundation. This is bone grafting applied to one specific anatomical problem, and it's the step that makes upper back dental implants possible for many people who were previously told they weren't candidates.
Most of the people we treat for this fall into a few predictable groups. Someone lost an upper molar to a fracture or deep decay years ago and never replaced it. Someone has worn an upper partial denture for a long time and is tired of it. Someone has advanced gum disease that cost them teeth in the back of the upper arch. In each case, a scan shows limited bone height, and a sinus lift bridges the gap between where you are and the implant you want.
Candidacy depends on your overall health, the condition of your gums, your sinus health, and how much bone you currently have. Active gum infection is treated first — we provide gum disease treatment, scaling and root planing, and periodontal surgery, so that can be handled in the same office. Sometimes a smaller amount of lift is needed and the graft and implant can be planned closer together; sometimes more height is required and the graft heals on its own before the implant goes in. We'll tell you plainly which situation applies to you.
What the Procedure and Recovery Involve
The surgery is done in our office. We numb the area thoroughly, and nitrous oxide sedation or oral sedation is available if you'd rather be more relaxed through it. Access is made to the sinus wall, the membrane is carefully lifted, graft material is placed, and the site is closed. Most patients are surprised by how manageable it feels compared to what they imagined.
Here's what to plan for afterward:
- Swelling and mild bruising around the cheek for a few days, which is normal
- No nose blowing, no drinking through straws, and no strenuous activity while the graft settles
- Soft foods for a short period, plus any medication we prescribe
- A follow-up visit so we can check healing and confirm the graft is doing its job
- A healing period of several months before the implant is placed, in most cases
Once the site has matured, we place the implant and restore it. Because we have an on-site dental lab, crowns and other restorations are fabricated here, which keeps the later stages of treatment efficient.
Care Coordinated in One Office for The Villages Patients
Driving to several different specialists for one tooth is a hassle, especially when a treatment plan runs across many months. We place dental implants, perform bone grafting and sinus lifts, handle extractions, treat gum disease, and build the final restorations under one roof. We also accept patients without a referral, so you can call us directly.
Our team has provided general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry in this area for over 30 years, and we're members of the FDA and the Central Florida District Dental Association. Dr. Hussein Salifu and Dr. Marco Geris see patients of all ages, and we offer emergency appointments when something can't wait.
Insurance, Payment, and Getting Started
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and file claims as a General Practitioner. We also welcome self-pay and cash patients, and we offer flexible payment plans so a multi-stage implant plan can be spread out rather than paid all at once.
The first step is an evaluation and imaging so we can measure your available bone and show you exactly what's there. From that, you'll get a clear sequence, a timeline, and a cost breakdown before anything is scheduled. If you're in The Villages and have been putting off replacing an upper back tooth, call our office and we'll take a look.