Sinus Lift Virginia Beach, VA
If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone for a dental implant in your upper jaw, a sinus lift is often the procedure that changes that answer.
At Virginia Surgical Arts & Dental Implant Center in Virginia Beach, Dr. Sergio Vendetti performs sinus augmentation to rebuild the bone your implants need — so you can move forward with a permanent, natural-feeling replacement for missing back teeth.
What Is a Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift — also called sinus augmentation or a maxillary sinus floor elevation — is a bone grafting procedure performed in the upper back jaw, where your molars and premolars sit directly beneath the maxillary sinuses.
When upper teeth are lost, the jawbone beneath them begins to atrophy. At the same time, the sinus cavity tends to expand downward into the space the roots once occupied. The result is a thin ridge of bone that can’t securely anchor a dental implant.
During a sinus lift, Dr. Vendetti carefully lifts the sinus membrane upward and places bone grafting material into the space below it. Over the following months, that graft integrates with your natural bone, creating a solid foundation of proper height and width for implant placement.
Do You Need a Sinus Lift?
You may be a candidate if you:
- Are missing one or more upper back teeth
- Have been told you have insufficient bone height for an implant
- Lost upper teeth years ago and have experienced bone loss since
- Have naturally large or low-hanging sinuses
- Have experienced bone loss from gum disease, injury, or a long-term denture
- Were turned down for implants elsewhere because of bone volume
The only way to know for certain is with 3D imaging. Dr. Vendetti uses advanced cone beam CT scanning to measure your existing bone precisely and determine whether a sinus lift is necessary — and whether the graft and implant can be staged together or separately.
What to Expect from the Procedure
Sinus lifts are performed on-site at our state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical center in Virginia Beach. Most patients are comfortable with local anesthesia, though sedation options are available for anyone who feels anxious about surgery.
The procedure typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. Dr. Vendetti accesses the sinus through a small opening in the jawbone, gently elevates the membrane, and packs in grafting material. Recovery is usually mild: swelling and minor congestion for a few days, managed with prescribed medication and simple aftercare. Most people return to work within two to three days.
Healing time before implant placement generally runs four to nine months, depending on how much bone was grafted. In some cases with adequate existing bone, the dental implant can be placed during the same appointment.
Why Choose Dr. Vendetti
Not every dentist should perform a sinus lift. The sinus membrane is delicate, and complications like perforation or graft failure come down to surgical experience.
Dr. Sergio Vendetti has practiced in Virginia Beach for over 20 years and holds both dental and medical degrees, with residency and fellowship training in oral and maxillofacial surgery. As an assistant professor at the Medical College of Virginia’s Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, he has trained surgical residents in dental implant surgery — including the bone grafting techniques that make sinus lifts predictable.
Our team also works hard to be more available for scheduling than any other oral surgery practice in the area.
Schedule Your Sinus Lift Consultation
Bone loss doesn’t have to end your implant plans. Find out what’s possible with a 3D scan and a straightforward conversation about your options.
Request an Appointment or call our Virginia Beach office today!