Sinus Lift & Advanced Procedures
Maxillary posterior implant placement is often limited by pneumatised sinus and reduced residual bone height; sinus floor elevation creates space and bone for implants.
Techniques
- Lateral window (Caldwell-Luc type) approach — for severely reduced bone (commonly < ~5 mm); a window is made in the lateral wall, the Schneiderian (sinus) membrane is elevated, and graft is placed.
- Crestal / osteotome (Summers) approach — more conservative, used when residual bone is moderate (~6-9 mm); elevates the floor through the implant osteotomy.
Key Caution
The Schneiderian membrane must not be perforated; perforation risks graft loss and sinusitis.
Other Augmentation
Ridge split expands a narrow (knife-edge) ridge to allow implant placement.
Exam Tips ⭐
Lateral window for <5 mm bone; osteotome/crestal for 6-9 mm; never perforate the Schneiderian membrane; ridge split for narrow ridges.