Sinus lift is a procedure where the bone graft material is inserted between the sinus membrane and the floor of the sinus to encourage the formation of new bone and hence to increase the height of bone available to accommodate implant placement.
The sinus membrane lift can be performed in 2 ways:
1. Open approach (Lateral window/Direct approach)
A cut will be made in the gum where your back tooth used to be. A small window is then opened in the bone. The lining of the sinus is gently pushed up and away from your jaw. Granules of bone graft materials are then packed into the space between the sinus lining and the jaw bone. Once the bone is in place the gum is closed with dissolvable stitches.
2. Closed approach (Crestal approach/Indirect approach)
During the osteotomy preparation (the hole to insert the implant in) the material can be pushed below the membrane from the osteotomy site.
Possible complications:
Pain, bleeding, swelling, infection, graft resorption, sinusitis, nasal blockage, nasal fullness, haematoma, graft dislodgment into your sinus. These varies between patients with the majority to fully recover within 1 week to 10 days.
Both ways are well documented in literature with excellent success rate. Indeed the possible complications (e.g pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, nasal bleeding, nasal discharge, sinusitis, bone graft resorption) are way less in the closed approach and hence it is the favourite if possible. The decision will depend on the quantity and the quality of your current bone.
