CBCT-guided sinus augmentation by board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn. Just 10 minutes from Irvine via the 55 or 405 Freeway. Lateral window and crestal approaches with PRF-enhanced healing.
If you live in Irvine and need a sinus lift for dental implants, The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa is just a 10-minute drive via the 55 Freeway or the 405 Freeway. Board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn performs CBCT-guided sinus augmentation using both the lateral window and crestal approaches, enhanced with PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) therapy for faster healing. Our office in the South Coast Metro area at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 is easily accessible from all Irvine neighborhoods including Woodbridge, Northwood, University Park, Turtle Rock, and the Irvine Spectrum area.
Many Irvine residents are referred to The Loft Dental Studio by their general dentists when they need a sinus lift performed by a board-certified periodontist. While there are general dentists in Irvine who offer implant services, a sinus lift involves elevating the delicate Schneiderian membrane that lines the maxillary sinus floor, a procedure that requires specialized surgical training in mucoperiosteal tissue handling. Dr. Ahn's residency training at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (UCLA-affiliated) included extensive experience with sinus augmentation, bone grafting, and regenerative procedures. He has placed over 5,000 dental implants throughout his career and performs sinus lifts routinely at his Costa Mesa practice.
Convenient for Irvine Patients: Take the 55 Freeway north to the 405 Freeway, exit at South Coast Drive or Fairview Road, and you are less than 10 minutes from our office in the South Coast Metro area. Saturday appointments are available for patients who cannot take time off during the work week.
A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation or sinus floor elevation, is a bone grafting procedure that adds bone height to the upper jaw in the area of the premolars and molars. The maxillary sinuses are air-filled cavities located directly above the upper back teeth. When these teeth are lost, the bone that supported them gradually resorbs, and the sinus membrane expands downward into the space formerly occupied by tooth roots in a natural process called pneumatization. Over time, this leaves too little bone to anchor a dental implant.
Standard dental implants are typically 8 to 13 millimeters in length and require at least 10 millimeters of bone height for long-term stability. When a CBCT 3D scan reveals less bone than this threshold between the jaw crest and the sinus floor, a sinus lift is needed to build the volume required for successful implant placement. The procedure elevates the Schneiderian membrane upward from its current position, and bone graft material is packed into the space created between the jaw and the elevated membrane. Over several months, this graft integrates and forms new living bone capable of supporting implants.
Sinus lift surgery is one of the most well-documented and predictable bone grafting procedures in dentistry, with a 95 to 97 percent implant survival rate in grafted sinuses according to published systematic reviews. For a comprehensive overview of the procedure, visit our main sinus lift surgery page.
Dr. Ahn is trained in both primary sinus lift techniques and selects the approach that provides the best outcome based on each patient's anatomy and bone measurements.
The lateral window approach is the gold standard when significant bone height needs to be gained. Dr. Ahn creates a small window in the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus, carefully elevates the Schneiderian membrane, and packs bone graft material into the space created. This technique can add 8 to 12 millimeters or more of vertical bone height and is suitable for patients with as little as 1 to 2 millimeters of residual bone. When at least 4 to 5 millimeters of bone exists, implants can often be placed simultaneously with the sinus lift.
The crestal approach is less invasive and is performed through the implant site itself using osteotomes or a hydraulic technique to gently push the sinus floor upward from below. This approach is best for cases requiring moderate augmentation of 2 to 4 millimeters, typically when at least 5 to 6 millimeters of residual bone is present. The crestal technique involves less surgical trauma, faster recovery (3 to 5 days versus 7 to 14 days for the lateral approach), and almost always allows for simultaneous implant placement.
Irvine residents have access to many dental providers, but finding a board-certified periodontist who specializes in sinus augmentation and advanced bone grafting requires looking beyond general dentistry offices. Dr. Chanook David Ahn is one of the few board-certified periodontists in the greater Irvine area who combines Yale-level training, CBCT-guided surgical planning, and PRF-enhanced healing protocols in every sinus lift case.
Many Irvine patients come to us after being told they do not have enough bone for implants. In most of these cases, a sinus lift can create the bone volume needed for successful implant placement. The key is accurate CBCT-guided planning and proper membrane handling during surgery. With a documented 95 to 97 percent implant survival rate in grafted sinuses, sinus augmentation is one of the most predictable procedures in implant dentistry when performed by a specialist who understands the biology of bone grafting and tissue healing.
Find out if you have enough bone for dental implants. Dr. Ahn provides CBCT-guided evaluations and honest, no-pressure treatment recommendations. Just 10 minutes from Irvine.
Call (714) 549-7030Sinus lift costs depend on the surgical approach, the complexity of the case, the type and volume of bone graft material used, and whether implants are placed simultaneously. At The Loft Dental Studio, we provide detailed cost estimates after your CBCT evaluation so you understand exactly what your treatment involves before proceeding.
Some PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion of sinus lift surgery under oral surgery or implant-related benefits. Medical insurance may also provide coverage when the procedure is deemed medically necessary. Coverage varies by plan and insurer. Our administrative team contacts your insurance provider before treatment to verify your exact benefits and provide a written estimate of your out-of-pocket cost.
PPO Plans We Accept: Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
We offer financing through CareCredit, which provides low-interest and interest-free payment plans. We also accept FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account) funds, allowing you to pay for your sinus lift with pre-tax dollars. For more details, visit our Insurance & Payment page.
The Loft Dental Studio is centrally located in the South Coast Metro area of Costa Mesa, making it easy for patients throughout southern Orange County to reach our office for sinus lift consultations and treatment.
The Loft Dental Studio is located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, just 10 minutes from most Irvine neighborhoods via the 55 Freeway or the 405 Freeway. Board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn performs CBCT-guided sinus lift surgery using both the lateral window and crestal approaches with PRF-enhanced healing. The office is in the South Coast Metro area, making it one of the most convenient specialist options for Irvine residents.
Most patients report that sinus lift surgery is far less painful than they expected. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, with IV sedation available for patients who prefer complete comfort. Post-operative discomfort is typically managed with over-the-counter ibuprofen and prescription pain medication for the first 2 to 3 days. Swelling peaks around days 2 to 3 and then gradually subsides. Most patients describe the recovery as similar to a tooth extraction. Dr. Ahn also uses PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) therapy to accelerate healing and reduce post-operative inflammation.
Yes, in many cases. Simultaneous sinus lift and implant placement is possible when there is at least 4 to 5 millimeters of residual bone height beneath the sinus to stabilize the implant during healing. This is common with the crestal approach and sometimes possible with the lateral window technique. When residual bone is less than 4 millimeters, a staged approach is recommended: the sinus lift is performed first, the graft matures for 6 to 9 months, and then implants are placed into the newly formed bone. Dr. Ahn evaluates your CBCT scan to determine which approach is best for your situation.
Sinus lift costs depend on the surgical approach and the complexity of the case. A crestal sinus lift typically ranges from $2,000 to $2,800 per site, while a lateral window sinus lift ranges from $3,000 to $4,500 per side. Bone graft material is often included in the sinus lift fee, and PRF therapy is included at no additional charge. Some PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion of the procedure. The Loft Dental Studio accepts most major PPO plans and offers financing through CareCredit and FSA/HSA accounts.
Initial recovery takes about 7 to 14 days for a lateral window approach and 3 to 5 days for a crestal approach. Swelling peaks on days 2 to 3, and most patients manage with ibuprofen by day 3. Most patients feel significantly better by day 5 to 7 and return to normal activities within 1 to 2 weeks. The bone graft itself takes 4 to 9 months to fully mature, depending on the technique and whether implants were placed simultaneously. Dr. Ahn monitors graft maturation with CBCT imaging to determine the optimal time for implant placement.
A board-certified periodontist like Dr. Ahn has completed years of advanced residency training specifically in bone grafting, tissue management, and regenerative procedures. The Schneiderian membrane that lines the sinus floor is a mucoperiosteal tissue, and periodontists receive extensive training in handling these tissues with precision. This specialized training translates directly into lower membrane perforation rates and higher graft success rates. Dr. Ahn completed his residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (UCLA-affiliated), and has placed over 5,000 dental implants.
Some PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion of sinus lift surgery under oral surgery or implant-related benefits. Medical insurance may also cover the procedure if it is deemed medically necessary. Coverage varies by plan. The Loft Dental Studio accepts most major PPO dental insurance plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Our administrative team verifies your benefits before treatment so you understand your out-of-pocket costs. Financing through CareCredit and FSA/HSA accounts are also accepted.