Sinus Lift Surgery in Bay Harbor Islands, FL

When insufficient bone height in the upper jaw is the only barrier between you and dental implants, sinus lift surgery is the procedure that removes that barrier. Dr. Oliver, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, evaluates and treats patients from Bay Harbor Islands, FL who need bone augmentation before implant placement can move forward. Consultations are available on select Fridays at our Aventura practice, a short drive south via the Shepard Broad Causeway.

You had a plan: get the implant, get your bite back to normal, move on. Then the cone beam scan came back and complicated things. The bone in your upper back jaw has thinned, the sinus cavity has expanded into the space where the implant post needs to sit, and the straightforward timeline you expected now has a detour. That detour is sinus lift surgery, the bone-augmentation procedure that has to happen before dental implants can go in.

At Haratz Dental, we regularly work with patients from Bay Harbor Islands, FL who need this bone-prep step handled correctly before their implant plan can move forward. Dr. Oliver, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, is available for sinus lift surgery consultations at our Aventura practice on select Fridays, and coordinates directly with our restorative team so the surgical and prosthetic sides of your case stay in sync. Call us at (786) 433-5232 to discuss your imaging and schedule an evaluation.

About the Procedure

What Sinus Lift Surgery
Actually Does

The technical name for this procedure is maxillary sinus floor augmentation, but most patients know it simply as a sinus lift. The maxillary sinuses sit just above the upper back teeth. When a molar or premolar is lost, the bone beneath that area begins to resorb over time, and the sinus cavity can slowly expand downward into the vacated space. The result is a reduction in bone height, the vertical measurement oral surgeons rely on to place an implant post securely.

A sinus lift addresses this by lifting the sinus membrane, creating a pocket of space between the membrane and the existing jaw bone, and packing that space with bone graft material. Over the following months, that graft integrates with your natural bone and builds the vertical foundation that implant placement requires. Research published in peer-reviewed dental literature consistently supports sinus augmentation as a predictable, well-documented procedure with strong long-term implant success rates.

Your Care Team

Meet Our Doctors

Our philosophy is simple: treat every patient with care, knowledge, and love. We’re here to build a long-term relationship with you and your family.

Trust

Knowledge

Long-Term Care

Family Feel

Founder & Owner

Dr. Adela Haratz

Over 40 years creating beautiful smiles. A pioneering aesthetic and scientific authority in dental artistry.

Cosmetic & General

Dr. Michael Maya

A North Miami Beach native dedicated to providing excellent dental care to his community.

Oral Surgery

Dr. Francisco Oliver

Dr. Oliver is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who provides advanced surgical expertise at Haratz Dental. He supports patients requiring surgical care and is available for consultations on select Fridays.

We speak your language: English, Spanish & Hebrew

Why It Matters

When Sinus Lift Surgery
Becomes Necessary

Sinus lift surgery is not a one-size-fits-all decision. Understanding the specific reason why your bone height is insufficient helps Dr. Oliver select the right surgical approach and set realistic expectations for the healing timeline before your implants can be placed.

Bone Loss After Extraction

When upper back teeth are extracted, the surrounding bone begins to resorb because it no longer has a tooth root to support. This process can reduce bone height significantly within the first year following extraction. Patients who delay implant planning often find that the longer they wait, the more bone augmentation is required before implant placement becomes possible.

Prior Infections or Trauma

Serious dental infections, cysts, or traumatic injuries to the upper jaw can accelerate bone loss in the affected area. Patients who have experienced tooth loss related to periodontal disease often have additional bone loss beyond what extraction alone would cause. A pre-implant sinus lift evaluation identifies whether augmentation is needed before implant surgery can proceed.

Sinus Cavity Expansion

The maxillary sinuses are air-filled cavities that sit directly above the upper jaw. Over time, particularly after tooth loss, these cavities can expand downward in a process called pneumatization. As the sinus floor drops, it encroaches on the space where an implant post would need to be placed. A sinus lift restores the bone height between the sinus floor and the crest of the jaw.

Stable Implant Foundation

Dental implants require a minimum bone height to achieve proper osseointegration, the process by which the titanium post fuses with living bone. Without adequate bone volume, an implant placed in the upper jaw risks failure or instability over time. Sinus lift surgery brings the bone height up to the threshold needed to support an implant that will last for decades.

Naturally Low Bone Volume

Some patients arrive at their implant consultation with limited bone volume in the upper jaw independent of tooth loss or sinus expansion. Genetic anatomy, prior orthodontic treatment, or jaw development can all result in thinner bone in the molar and premolar region. In these cases, a sinus lift creates the structural foundation that never existed in the first place.

Sinus Lift Approach	Best For	Typical Timeline to Implant
Lateral Window Sinus Lift	Significant bone loss requiring larger augmentation volume	6 to 9 months after graft placement
Crestal (Vertical) Sinus Lift	Moderate bone loss; may allow same-visit implant in select cases	4 to 6 months, or same visit when eligible
Two-Stage Procedure	Complex cases where graft must fully mature before implant load	9 to 12 months total from sinus lift to implant completion

Dr. Oliver will recommend the appropriate approach after reviewing your cone beam CT imaging.

Are You a Candidate

Who Benefits From
Sinus Lift Surgery?

Patients who are good candidates for sinus lift surgery typically have insufficient bone height in the upper molar or premolar region to support a standard-length dental implant. A cone beam CT scan is used to measure the existing bone height accurately before any surgical plan is made. Bone height of less than 4 to 5 mm in the posterior upper jaw is typically where sinus lift surgery becomes necessary.

Active sinus infections, uncontrolled diabetes, or other systemic conditions that could affect healing will need to be addressed before surgery can proceed safely. Patients who smoke face elevated risks of graft failure and may need to stop for a period before and after the procedure. Dr. Oliver reviews each patient's imaging and medical history during the evaluation to determine the right surgical approach, the correct graft material, and a realistic healing timeline before dental implant placement.

“A truly successful cosmetic treatment does more than look good in photos.”

The Surgical Process

What to Expect During
Your Sinus Lift Surgery

Step 01

Consultation and 3D Imaging

Dr. Oliver reviews your cone beam CT scan to measure existing bone height, evaluate sinus anatomy, and identify the most appropriate surgical technique for your case.

Step 02

Anesthesia and Preparation

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Sedation options are available for patients who prefer deeper relaxation during the surgery.

Step 03

Membrane Lift and Bone Graft

A small incision is made to access the sinus membrane. The membrane is gently lifted away from the jaw, and bone graft material is packed into the created space to augment bone height.

Step 04

Closure and Healing Period

The incision is sutured closed. Over the next 6 to 9 months, the graft material integrates with your natural jaw bone. Once integration is confirmed, implant placement is scheduled.

Recovery

Healing After
Your Sinus Lift

The initial recovery from sinus lift surgery is manageable for most patients who follow their aftercare instructions closely. Swelling and mild discomfort in the first 48 to 72 hours are expected. Two recovery actions matter more than any others: do not blow your nose, and avoid sneezing with your mouth closed. Either action can displace the bone graft material before it has begun to integrate. Rinsing and spitting forcefully should also be avoided for the first 24 hours.

Plan for a soft food diet for the first two weeks, gradually reintroducing firmer foods as healing progresses. Antibiotics and an antimicrobial rinse are typically prescribed to reduce infection risk. Physical activity should be limited for the first several days, and tobacco products should be avoided entirely throughout the healing period, as smoking impairs bone graft integration. Dental implants are typically placed 6 to 9 months after a sinus lift, once the graft has fully matured and integrated with the existing jaw bone. Learn more about dental implant surgery at Haratz Dental.

"Your initial visit starts with an honest conversation."

Payment Options

Sinus Lift Payment
and Financing Options

Sinus lift surgery at Haratz Dental is provided on a cash-pay basis. We make care accessible through flexible financing options, including our in-house membership plan, CareCredit, and Cherry. Both CareCredit and Cherry offer convenient monthly payment plans so you can prioritize your bone augmentation and eventual implant placement without financial delay. Our team is happy to walk you through the available payment options at your consultation.

Cash Pay

Surgical Care Near You

Why Choose Haratz Dental
for Sinus Lift Surgery

Dr. Oliver is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who focuses specifically on bone augmentation and implant-preparatory surgery, seeing patients at our Aventura practice on select Fridays. Many of the patients on his schedule started their implant conversation at one of the dental practices clustered along Kane Concourse in Bay Harbor Islands, then were referred here once imaging showed the upper jaw needed more bone before an implant could be placed. Dr. Oliver reviews that imaging directly with our restorative team, so the surgical and prosthetic sides of your plan stay coordinated from bone graft to final crown.

Sinus lift consultations at Haratz Dental include a full review of your cone beam imaging, a plain-language walkthrough of the surgical approach Dr. Oliver recommends, and a realistic timeline from bone graft to dental implants. We coordinate this bone-prep step often for patients traveling over from Bay Harbor Islands, whether their case starts as a referral from a nearby practice or comes to us directly. To schedule your evaluation, contact Haratz Dental at (786) 433-5232 or request an appointment online.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked
Questions

What is sinus lift surgery?

Sinus lift surgery, also known as sinus augmentation or maxillary sinus floor augmentation, builds up bone in the upper jaw beneath the maxillary sinuses. It's recommended when bone height is too limited to support a dental implant in the upper molar or premolar area. Bone graft material is placed between the sinus membrane and the jaw bone, where it integrates over several months to form a stable implant foundation.

How long does healing take before I can get implants?

Most patients need 6 to 9 months of healing after a sinus lift before an implant can be placed. In select cases where a crestal approach is used and enough residual bone remains, the implant can be placed the same day. Dr. Oliver sets your specific timeline based on your cone beam CT imaging and existing bone volume.

Is a sinus lift painful?

The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so you shouldn't feel pain during surgery itself. Sedation is available for patients who prefer it. Once the anesthetic wears off, mild to moderate soreness and swelling for the first few days is typical, and we provide pain management guidance to keep you comfortable through initial healing.

Can a sinus lift and dental implants be done in the same visit?

When enough residual bone remains, a crestal sinus lift can allow the implant to go in during that same surgical visit. If bone loss is more significant, the sinus lift and implant placement happen as two separate procedures with a healing period in between. Dr. Oliver confirms which path applies to you after reviewing your imaging.

How do I know if I need a sinus lift?

A sinus lift is generally called for when a cone beam CT scan shows less than 4 to 5 mm of bone height in the upper posterior jaw. If you've already been told your upper jaw doesn't have enough bone for implants, a consultation with Dr. Oliver at Haratz Dental will confirm whether a sinus lift is the right next step for your case.

Does insurance cover sinus lift surgery for patients coming from Bay Harbor Islands?

Sinus lift surgery at Haratz Dental is offered on a cash-pay basis, and we do not bill dental insurance for this procedure regardless of where you're coming from. To keep care accessible, we offer financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and our in-house membership plan, and our team will walk you through the options at your consultation.

Sinus Lift Surgery in Bay Harbor Islands, FL

What Sinus Lift SurgeryActually Does

Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Adela Haratz

Dr. Michael Maya

Dr. Francisco Oliver

When Sinus Lift SurgeryBecomes Necessary

Bone Loss After Extraction

Prior Infections or Trauma

Sinus Cavity Expansion

Stable Implant Foundation

Naturally Low Bone Volume

Who Benefits FromSinus Lift Surgery?

What to Expect DuringYour Sinus Lift Surgery

Healing AfterYour Sinus Lift

Sinus Lift Paymentand Financing Options

Why Choose Haratz Dentalfor Sinus Lift Surgery

Frequently AskedQuestions

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