Sinus Lift Surgery in Summerfield
When an upper back tooth has been missing for a while, the bone that once held it in place tends to shrink — and the sinus cavity above it quietly expands into that space. Patients from Summerfield often learn this during an implant consultation, when a scan shows there isn't enough bone height left in the upper jaw to anchor an implant securely. That's where sinus lift surgery comes in. It's a predictable way to rebuild the foundation your upper molars and premolars need, and it's one of the procedures we perform right here in our Ocala office, a short drive for Summerfield residents.
A sinus lift, sometimes called a sinus augmentation, adds bone graft material to the upper jaw in the area beneath the maxillary sinus. To make room for that graft, we gently lift the thin membrane lining the floor of the sinus, creating space that is then filled with grafting material. Over the following months, your body integrates the graft, and the result is a taller, denser ridge of bone capable of holding a dental implant.
We see this need most often in a few specific situations. Upper molars that were extracted years ago leave behind a ridge that has gradually resorbed. Long-term denture wear accelerates that same loss, because a removable appliance doesn't stimulate the bone underneath it. Gum disease is another common culprit — once the supporting bone around upper teeth is damaged, the remaining height can be minimal. And for some patients, the sinus simply sits lower naturally, leaving too little room even without significant bone loss. In each case, placing an implant without first augmenting the area would risk poor stability, so the sinus lift becomes the step that makes tooth replacement possible.
Candidacy starts with imaging and a thorough exam. We look at bone height and width, the shape and health of your sinus, the condition of neighboring teeth, and your gum health. Active gum disease or infection is usually addressed first, since a graft heals best in a clean, stable environment. We also review your medical history and any medications before recommending surgery.
Good candidates typically fall into one of several groups: someone who wants a single implant to replace an upper back tooth, someone pursuing implant-supported dentures or a fixed implant bridge across the upper arch, or someone planning full arch or full mouth dental implants who needs the posterior bone rebuilt first. Because our office provides periodontal care, oral surgery, and prosthodontic treatment under one roof, we can plan the graft with the final restoration already in mind rather than treating each step in isolation. You don't need a referral to be seen.
What the Procedure and Recovery Look Like
Sinus lift surgery is done in our office. We numb the area thoroughly, and for patients who feel anxious, we offer nitrous oxide sedation and oral sedation dentistry. Access is made through the gum tissue, the sinus membrane is carefully elevated, graft material is placed, and the site is closed with sutures. Depending on how much bone is present at the start, an implant is sometimes placed at the same visit; in other cases we allow the graft to mature first and place the implant at a later appointment.
Here is what Summerfield patients can generally expect around the procedure:
- Mild to moderate swelling and some bruising in the cheek area for several days
- Instructions to avoid blowing your nose forcefully, sneezing with a closed mouth, drinking through straws, and strenuous activity
- A soft-food diet at first, with a gradual return to normal eating
- Follow-up visits so we can check healing and remove sutures
- A healing period of several months before the implant phase, with the exact timeline based on your scan and graft
Call us right away if you notice unusual bleeding, persistent drainage, or discomfort that worsens instead of improving. We keep time available for emergency appointments, so you're never left waiting with a concern.
Insurance, Payment, and Getting Started
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and file claims as a general practitioner, which many patients find simplifies the paperwork compared with coordinating between multiple offices. We also welcome self-pay and cash patients, and we offer flexible payment plans so a multi-stage treatment like grafting and implants can be budgeted over time. Before anything begins, we'll walk you through the full plan and the costs involved.
Ocala Dental Care has served this region for more than 30 years, and Summerfield is among the communities we care for daily. Dr. Hussein Salifu and Dr. Marco Geris see patients of all ages, and our on-site dental lab lets us fabricate and adjust restorations efficiently once your implant is ready. If you've been told you don't have enough bone for an upper implant, schedule a consultation and let's look at your options together.