Expert sinus augmentation by board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn. CBCT-guided lateral window and crestal techniques with PRF therapy. Satellite office in Anaheim at 1007 W La Palma Ave, plus flagship location just 15 minutes south in Costa Mesa.
Anaheim Satellite Office: The Loft Dental Studio has a satellite location at 1007 W La Palma Ave, Suite 5, Anaheim, CA 92801. Call (714) 776-7132 to schedule your sinus lift consultation at our Anaheim office. Dr. Ahn sees patients at both the Anaheim and Costa Mesa locations.
A sinus lift is a bone augmentation procedure designed to rebuild bone height in the upper jaw so that dental implants can be securely placed in the premolar and molar regions. The maxillary sinuses, which are large air-filled spaces behind your cheekbones, sit directly above the roots of your upper back teeth. After these teeth are lost or extracted, the bone that supported them begins to deteriorate, and the sinus floor gradually drops lower. This progressive bone loss leaves too little bone between the mouth and the sinus cavity to anchor an implant. A sinus lift corrects this by gently raising the sinus membrane and packing bone graft material into the space below, rebuilding the foundation your implants need.
For Anaheim patients who have been told they lack sufficient bone for upper jaw implants, a sinus lift is often the solution that makes implant treatment possible. The procedure has been refined over more than 30 years and is one of the most predictable bone grafting techniques in modern implant dentistry. Dr. Chanook David Ahn performs sinus lifts with CBCT 3D imaging guidance, advanced Piezoelectric instruments, and PRF therapy to maximize safety and outcomes.
Many Anaheim patients delay implant treatment because they were told they need bone grafting first and assume this means months of additional procedures. In reality, Dr. Ahn can often combine the sinus lift with implant placement in a single surgery, reducing the overall treatment timeline significantly. Whether that is possible depends on the amount of existing bone, which is precisely measured with your CBCT scan during the consultation.
Sinus lift surgery demands specialized knowledge of maxillofacial anatomy, soft tissue handling, and bone biology. The sinus membrane (Schneiderian membrane) is a thin, delicate tissue that must be elevated without tearing. The bone graft must be placed precisely to achieve the planned volume without compressing the membrane. And the entire procedure must account for anatomic variations such as sinus septa, blood vessel locations, and differing membrane thicknesses.
Board-certified periodontists complete three years of advanced surgical residency beyond dental school, with extensive hands-on training in bone grafting, implant surgery, and soft tissue management. Dr. Ahn completed his residency at Yale, where he trained under leaders in implant surgery and bone regeneration. His career includes over 5,000 implants placed and a deep understanding of the conditions that require sinus augmentation.
Specialist Training Matters for Sinus Lifts: The difference between a specialist and a general dentist performing a sinus lift becomes most apparent when complications arise. Membrane perforations, unexpected sinus septa, and varying bone quality all require immediate decision-making based on deep anatomical knowledge. Dr. Ahn's board certification means he has passed the most rigorous examinations in periodontics, demonstrating mastery of these surgical procedures. This is especially important for Anaheim patients seeking the best outcome from their implant investment.
Dr. Ahn performs both major sinus lift techniques and selects the approach based on your individual anatomy, the amount of bone gain needed, and whether implants can be placed at the same time. The decision is always guided by your CBCT measurements.
I never recommend one technique as universally better than the other. The lateral window approach gives me direct visualization of the sinus membrane and allows me to place a large volume of graft material, which is essential when bone height is severely deficient. The crestal approach is less invasive and heals faster, but it is only appropriate when the existing bone can stabilize an implant and only a modest amount of additional height is needed. CBCT imaging takes the guesswork out of this decision. Every Anaheim patient I treat receives a thorough 3D evaluation before we discuss which approach will give them the most predictable long-term result.
Not all upper jaw implant cases require sinus augmentation. However, the following situations frequently necessitate a sinus lift before implants can be placed.
Your sinus lift journey begins with a CBCT 3D scan, available at both our Anaheim and Costa Mesa offices. This imaging provides sub-millimeter measurements of your remaining bone height, sinus floor contour, membrane thickness, and the presence of any anatomic variations such as sinus septa (bony dividers). Dr. Ahn uses these images to plan the precise surgical approach, graft volume, and whether simultaneous implant placement is feasible for your case.
Local anesthesia ensures complete numbness throughout the procedure. IV sedation, oral sedation, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) are available for patients who prefer a deeper level of relaxation. With IV sedation, most patients have little to no memory of the surgery. Learn more about our sedation options.
Dr. Ahn creates a small incision in the gum tissue on the cheek side of the upper jaw, exposing the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus. Using Piezoelectric ultrasonic instruments, which selectively cut bone while leaving soft tissue intact, he creates a precise window in the bone. The sinus membrane is then meticulously elevated from the floor using specialized instruments that apply controlled, gentle pressure. Once the membrane is adequately raised, bone graft material is placed beneath it to fill the newly created space. A collagen membrane is placed over the window, the tissue flap is repositioned, and sutures close the site.
For the crestal approach, Dr. Ahn prepares the implant site using standard implant drills, stopping 1 to 2 millimeters short of the sinus floor. A specialized osteotome instrument then gently infractures the thin remaining bone and carefully pushes the sinus membrane upward. Bone graft material is introduced through the osteotomy to fill the space beneath the elevated membrane, and the implant is placed directly into the site in the same appointment.
Every sinus lift performed by Dr. Ahn includes PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) therapy at no additional cost. A small blood draw before surgery provides the material that is centrifuged to produce PRF membranes rich in platelets and growth factors. These PRF preparations are placed over the graft site and incorporated into the bone graft itself, promoting faster vascularization of the graft, enhanced soft tissue closure, reduced swelling, and improved patient comfort during recovery.
Dr. Ahn provides CBCT evaluation and personalized treatment planning at our Anaheim satellite office and Costa Mesa flagship location. Find out if you are a candidate for simultaneous sinus lift and implant placement.
Call Anaheim (714) 776-7132The cost of sinus lift surgery depends on the technique selected, the volume of graft material required, and whether implants are placed simultaneously. Dr. Ahn provides a detailed treatment plan and cost estimate after your CBCT evaluation.
Many PPO dental insurance plans provide coverage for sinus lifts when the procedure is medically necessary for implant placement. Coverage typically falls under surgical or bone grafting benefits and ranges from 50 to 80 percent of the allowed fee. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment so you know your exact out-of-pocket responsibility in advance.
PPO Plans We Accept: Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
We offer financing through CareCredit with low-interest and interest-free payment plans. FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account) funds are also accepted. For more details, visit our Insurance & Payment page.
Anaheim patients have two convenient office options for sinus lift treatment with Dr. Ahn.
1007 W La Palma Ave, Suite 5, Anaheim, CA 92801
Phone: (714) 776-7132
Located on La Palma Avenue near the intersection with Euclid Street. Easily accessible from I-5, CA-91, and Beach Boulevard. Free parking available.
3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: (714) 549-7030
A sinus lift is performed under local anesthesia, so you feel no pain during the procedure. IV sedation and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) are also available for patients who want additional comfort. After surgery, most patients describe the discomfort as moderate and manageable with prescribed pain medication and over-the-counter ibuprofen for 3 to 5 days. Swelling peaks around day 2 to 3 and then subsides steadily. Dr. Ahn uses PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) therapy with every sinus lift, which delivers concentrated growth factors from your own blood to accelerate healing and reduce inflammation. Most patients report that the recovery was easier than they anticipated.
Healing time depends on the technique used and whether implants were placed simultaneously. If implants are placed at the same time as the sinus lift (possible when at least 4 to 5 mm of native bone exists), the total healing time before loading the implants with teeth is typically 6 to 8 months. If a staged approach is used (sinus lift first, implants later), the bone graft needs 6 to 9 months to mature before implants are placed, followed by another 3 to 4 months for implant integration. Dr. Ahn monitors healing with follow-up appointments and uses a CBCT scan to confirm that the grafted bone has adequate density before proceeding with implant placement.
Sinus lift surgery is a well-established procedure with a success rate exceeding 95 percent. The most common complication is a small perforation of the sinus membrane (Schneiderian membrane), which occurs in approximately 10 to 25 percent of cases and is typically repaired during the same surgery with a collagen membrane patch. Other uncommon risks include post-operative sinus infection (sinusitis), graft failure, and excessive bleeding. Dr. Ahn minimizes these risks by using Piezoelectric ultrasonic instruments that cut bone precisely while protecting soft tissue, performing thorough CBCT planning to identify anatomic challenges before surgery, and applying PRF therapy to enhance healing. Serious complications are rare in the hands of an experienced board-certified periodontist.
Yes, The Loft Dental Studio has a satellite office in Anaheim at 1007 W La Palma Ave, Suite 5, Anaheim, CA 92801. You can reach the Anaheim office at (714) 776-7132. The flagship office is located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, approximately 15 minutes from Anaheim via CA-55 South or I-5 South. Sinus lift consultations and CBCT imaging can be performed at either location. Dr. Ahn sees patients at both offices, so you can choose the location that is most convenient for your schedule.
If you currently wear a removable upper denture, Dr. Ahn will advise you to leave it out for at least 1 to 2 weeks after sinus lift surgery to avoid placing pressure on the graft site while it stabilizes. After that initial period, your denture may need to be relined with a soft liner to distribute pressure more evenly and protect the healing graft. For patients transitioning from dentures to implant-supported teeth, the sinus lift is a critical step in building the bone foundation needed for a permanent, fixed solution. Dr. Ahn coordinates the timing carefully so you are not without functional teeth during the treatment process.
Active sinus infections must be treated and resolved before sinus lift surgery can be performed. If you have chronic sinusitis or a history of recurring sinus infections, Dr. Ahn may coordinate with your ENT (ear, nose, and throat) physician to ensure your sinuses are healthy before scheduling surgery. Seasonal allergies are generally not a contraindication, but surgery is ideally scheduled during a period when your allergies are well controlled. If your CBCT scan reveals a sinus cyst (mucous retention cyst), Dr. Ahn evaluates its size and location to determine if it needs to be addressed before or during the sinus lift. In most cases, small cysts do not affect the procedure.