Sinus Lifts & Sinus-Sparing Implant Options

Making Dental Implants Possible—Comfortably and Thoughtfully

If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone for dental implants in your upper jaw, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options.

A sinus lift (also called sinus augmentation) is a common, predictable procedure that creates the bone needed to securely support dental implants. In many cases, it’s the missing step that turns “maybe someday” into “yes, we can.”

At Boca Jaw Surgery, sinus lift procedures—and sinus-sparing alternatives—are performed by Dr. Ronald L. Katz, a Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with over 20 years of experience treating patients throughout South Florida.

What Is a Sinus Lift? (In Plain English)

The maxillary sinuses are air-filled spaces that sit above your upper back teeth and behind your cheeks. When upper molars or premolars are lost, the bone underneath them can slowly shrink. Sometimes, that leaves very little bone between your mouth and the sinus.

Dental implants need solid bone to stay stable long term.
If there isn’t enough bone, a sinus lift gently creates the space for new bone to grow—right where the implant needs it.

Think of it as reinforcing the foundation before building the house.

Why a Sinus Lift Is Sometimes Needed

Bone loss in the upper jaw can occur because of:

• Tooth loss over time

• Gum disease

• Injury or trauma

• Natural anatomy or genetics

A sinus lift raises the sinus floor slightly and places bone graft material underneath. Over time, that graft becomes part of your jaw, creating a strong, natural base for implants.

This procedure has helped countless patients who were once told implants weren’t possible.

Sometimes, We Can Avoid a Sinus Lift Altogether

Here’s where experience and planning really matter.

In certain cases, Dr. Katz may recommend using a BICON dental implant, which can minimize—or sometimes completely eliminate—the need for a sinus lift.

Why BICON Implants Are Different

BICON implants were designed over 40 years ago by exceptionally innovative physicians and engineers in Boston. Their design was so effective that it has never needed to change—a rarity in medicine.

These implants:

• Are shorter and wider, allowing placement where bone height is limited

• Use a locking-taper design (no screw)

• Distribute forces more naturally into the bone

• Often avoid the sinus entirely

In plain terms:
They’re designed to work with your anatomy, not push against it.

BICON implants are widely considered revolutionary—but they’re also used by relatively few surgeons because they require advanced planning and experience. Dr. Katz has been using BICON implants since 2010 with excellent long-term results.

Not everyone is a candidate—but when they are, it can be the simplest and most elegant solution.

Concerned About Your Sinuses? We Understand.

Some patients are very clear from the start:
they want as little sinus involvement as possible—or none at all.

That’s completely reasonable.

You may have:

• Chronic sinus disease

• Prior sinus surgery

• A history of sinus infections

• Or simply strong feelings about avoiding sinus perforation

We get it.

Depending on your anatomy, Dr. Katz can:

• Perform a traditional sinus lift when it’s clearly the best option

• Use minimally invasive sinus techniques to reduce risk

• Recommend sinus-sparing implants like BICON

• Design a plan with minimal or zero sinus manipulation, when possible

This is not about forcing one approach—it’s about choosing the right one.

How Is a Sinus Lift Performed? (When It’s Needed)

When a sinus lift is the best solution:

• A small opening is made in the jaw bone

• The sinus lining is gently lifted upward (nothing is removed)

• Bone graft material is placed underneath

• The area is closed and allowed to heal

In some cases, the implant can be placed at the same visit. In others, the graft is allowed to mature for several months before implant placement. The timing depends entirely on what will produce the safest, most predictable outcome.

Comfort & Anesthesia

Sinus lifts are typically performed in the office under local anesthesia.
For added comfort, oral or IV sedation is also available.

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable both the procedure and recovery are.

The Big Picture

A sinus lift:

• Makes dental implants possible when bone is limited

• Is safe, predictable, and commonly performed

• Has helped replace loose dentures with stable implants for decades

And sometimes, with the right planning and implant system, it may not be needed at all.

The Takeaway

Whether you:

• Need a sinus lift

• Want to avoid sinus involvement

• Or were told implants weren’t an option

There’s almost always more than one path forward.

At Boca Jaw Surgery, we focus on:

• Careful planning

• Advanced imaging

• Thoughtful implant selection

• Respect for your anatomy and your preferences

If you’re exploring dental implants and want clear answers—not pressure, a consultation is the best place to start.