Sinus Lift Surgery in Woodland Hills
Imagine you lost an upper back tooth a while ago, and now you're ready to replace it with a dental implant. Then your dentist explains there isn't enough bone in that area to hold one securely. For many Woodland Hills patients, this is the first time they hear about a sinus lift. It's a common, well-established procedure that can make implant treatment possible when the upper jaw needs more support. At 805 Dentistry, we help patients understand what's happening, why it matters, and how we can plan the next steps together.
A sinus lift, sometimes called a sinus augmentation, adds bone to the upper jaw in the area of the back teeth. Your maxillary sinuses are air-filled spaces that sit just above the roots of the upper molars and premolars. When a tooth is missing in this area, the bone beneath the sinus can thin over time. The sinus can also sit naturally close to the jaw. Either way, there may not be enough height to anchor an implant.
During the procedure, the sinus membrane is gently raised and bone grafting material is placed in the space beneath it. Over the healing period, that graft becomes a stable foundation. This lets us place an implant where it otherwise might not have been an option. Because sinus lifts are closely tied to implant care, they are part of our broader approach to tooth replacement. That approach includes single implants, implant-supported bridges, and full-arch options such as All-on-4 and All-on-X.
Woodland Hills is one of the communities we serve from our Thousand Oaks office. Many patients appreciate that we bring several areas of care together under one roof. Our team includes a board-certified periodontist who places dental implants and provides implant maintenance. We also have a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist and a board-certified dental anesthesiologist. For you, that means fewer handoffs between offices and a more coordinated plan from your first scan to your final restoration.
We describe ourselves as a one-stop shop for the whole family's dental care, led by Dr. Dar Radfar, DDS. Patients from Woodland Hills can have their imaging, surgery, implant placement, and follow-up visits managed by one team. With an on-site dental lab, much of the restorative work also stays in-house.
Am I a good candidate for a sinus lift?
You may be a good candidate if you're missing upper back teeth and don't have enough bone height to support an implant. The only way to know for certain is a careful evaluation. We use CBCT imaging, a 3D scan, to see your bone volume and the position of your sinuses in detail.
Candidates often include people who:
- Lost upper molars or premolars some time ago and experienced bone loss afterward
- Have had bone loss related to gum disease
- Have sinuses positioned naturally close to the upper jaw
- Are planning single implants or full-arch implant treatment in the upper jaw
During your consultation, we'll review your health history and imaging, then talk through your options. If a sinus lift isn't the right fit, we'll explain the alternatives we offer, such as bridges or dentures.
What happens during the procedure, and will I be comfortable?
Most patients are comfortable throughout, and we offer several ways to keep you at ease. Our dental anesthiologist provides nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. Patients who feel anxious about surgery can choose the level of support that suits them.
On the day of treatment, we access the area, lift the sinus membrane, and place the graft material. Then we close the site so healing can begin. Depending on your situation, we may place the implant during the same visit or after the graft has had time to mature. We'll explain which approach we recommend for you and why, so you know the timeline before you begin.
What is recovery like, and how do I pay for treatment?
Recovery is usually manageable when you follow your aftercare instructions. We'll give you clear guidance for the first days, which often includes avoiding forceful nose-blowing and taking care with sneezing. You'll also be advised on what to eat and how to keep the area clean. We'll schedule follow-up visits to check your healing and plan your implant placement.
We want cost to be clear from the start. We accept all major PPO insurance plans, welcome self-pay patients, and offer financing to help spread treatment over time. Our team will review your estimate with you before any work begins. If you're in Woodland Hills and have been told you need more bone for an implant, we're happy to talk through your options.