If you’ve been told you don’t have enough upper jawbone for a dental implant, a sinus lift might be the solution that makes your smile possible. At Luka Dental Care in London, Ontario, we offer safe, predictable sinus lift procedures to help rebuild lost bone and prepare your mouth for long-lasting implant success.
Sinus lifts are one of the most common types of bone grafting procedures in dentistry—and while they may sound complex, they’re actually quite routine. We use advanced imaging and gentle techniques to make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible.
A sinus lift—also known as sinus augmentation—is a type of bone grafting that adds bone to the upper jaw in the area of your back teeth (usually molars and premolars). The maxillary sinus sits just above these teeth, and when teeth are lost or the bone shrinks, there may not be enough space to securely place an implant.
During a sinus lift, the sinus membrane is gently “lifted” upward and bone graft material is placed underneath it. This creates more vertical height in the jawbone, giving future implants a stable foundation to anchor into.
Sinus lifts are often recommended for patients who:
Have been missing upper back teeth for a long time
Have naturally thin or shallow upper jawbones
Experienced bone loss due to gum disease or infection
Had trauma or injury in the area
Want dental implants but don’t have enough bone to support them
If you’ve been told you aren’t a candidate for implants due to bone loss in your upper jaw, a sinus lift may make it possible.
A sinus lift at Luka Dental Care is typically performed under local anesthesia, with sedation options available for anxious patients. The procedure usually takes about 90 minutes, depending on the case.
Here’s what you can expect:
Healing from a sinus lift takes several months—typically around 4 to 6—before dental implants can be placed. During this time, your body naturally builds new bone in the grafted area, creating the structure needed to support an implant.
We’ll give you specific aftercare instructions and check in regularly to make sure everything is progressing as expected.
Here’s what the recovery process typically looks like:
Mild swelling or discomfort for the first few days
Avoiding nose-blowing or sneezing forcefully to protect the sinus
Soft food diet for several days
Limited physical activity for 48–72 hours
Follow-up appointments to monitor healing
Although sinus lifts are often considered a “pre-treatment” step, the benefits they offer can make all the difference in your long-term dental health:
Enables dental implants in the upper jaw
Restores jawbone volume after bone loss
Prevents sinus complications from poorly placed implants
Improves overall facial support and function
Boosts implant longevity and success
If you're hoping to get dental implants in the back of your upper jaw but were told you don't qualify, a sinus lift may reopen that door.
At Luka Dental Care in London, ON, we use advanced technology to plan and perform sinus lift procedures safely and accurately:
Provide detailed 3D imaging of the sinus cavity and jawbone
Helps us simulate the grafting process ahead of time
Chosen based on your health, anatomy, and goals
Reduce discomfort and speed up healing
Every sinus lift we perform is guided by data and precision—not guesswork.
Your sinus lift isn't a stand-alone procedure—it’s part of a long-term strategy to restore your smile. We work with you to build a clear roadmap from grafting to implant placement, including:
We’ll guide you every step of the way, so you’re never left wondering what’s next.
At Luka Dental Care, no two sinus lifts are exactly the same. Some patients need just a small graft for one implant. Others require a full sinus floor augmentation. Whatever your case, we’ll tailor the approach to match your comfort level, anatomy, and smile goals.
Your mouth, your timeline, your treatment—always.
Bone grafting through a sinus lift isn’t about doing “extra”—it’s about doing it right. Skipping this step when needed can compromise the health and longevity of your dental work.
If you try to place a dental implant without enough upper jawbone support, several issues can arise:
The implant may fail due to lack of bone integration
It could shift or loosen over time
You risk sinus complications or discomfort
The final result may not look or feel as natural
Think of a sinus lift as setting the stage for the best possible outcome. It’s not just about making implants possible—it’s about setting them up for long-term success. At Luka Dental Care, we never take shortcuts when it comes to your smile.
If you're missing upper back teeth and want the most secure, natural-feeling solution available, this could be the key that unlocks your future smile.
Paula K.
Luka Dental Care Patient
Sinus lifts require expertise, careful planning, and a gentle approach. At Luka Dental Care, we make what sounds like a big procedure feel simple, safe, and achievable. Here’s what sets us apart:
Clear, step-by-step education, advanced digital planning (including cone beam CT scans), and sedation options when needed
Extensive experience with complex cases and implant preparation
A supportive, no-pressure environment focused on your comfort every step of the way
If you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for dental implants because of bone loss in your upper jaw, don’t give up just yet. A sinus lift might be exactly what you need to move forward with confidence.
The procedure is done under local anesthesia, and we offer sedation options as well. Most patients report only mild soreness for a few days afterward.
Most sinus lifts require 4–6 months of healing before implants can be placed. In some cases, we may be able to place the implant at the same time, depending on how much bone is present.
We use a variety of safe, biocompatible graft materials—including synthetic bone, donor tissue, or your own bone—based on your needs.
As with any surgical procedure, there are small risks such as sinus membrane perforation or infection, but these are rare. We use advanced imaging to reduce those risks significantly.
It’s uncommon, but possible. We take precautions and may prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk. Let us know right away if you notice symptoms like congestion, swelling, or discomfort near your sinuses after the procedure.
No. Most sinus lifts are done under local anesthesia, though we offer sedation for comfort if you prefer.
Most healthy adults can, but we’ll review your medical history and overall oral health to make sure it’s safe and right for you.
2101 Aldersbrook Rd, London, ON N6G 3X1