CBCT-guided sinus lift surgery by board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn. Lateral window and crestal techniques with PRF therapy for predictable bone growth. Just 10 minutes from Newport Beach in the South Coast Metro area of Costa Mesa.
A sinus lift, clinically known as sinus floor augmentation or maxillary sinus augmentation, is a bone grafting procedure that increases bone volume in the upper jaw between the premolar and molar teeth. The maxillary sinuses are air-filled cavities located directly above the roots of the upper back teeth. When teeth in this area are lost, the bone that once supported them gradually resorbs, and the sinus floor can pneumatize (expand downward), leaving insufficient bone height for dental implant placement. A sinus lift addresses this by carefully elevating the sinus membrane and placing bone graft material beneath it, creating the necessary foundation for implants.
For Newport Beach residents considering dental implants in the upper jaw, understanding sinus anatomy is important. The maxillary sinus is one of the largest sinuses in the skull, and its floor typically sits 5 to 15 millimeters above the crest of the upper jaw bone. Dental implants require a minimum of 8 to 10 millimeters of bone height for long-term stability. When the available bone measures less than this, a sinus lift bridges the gap. Dr. Chanook David Ahn at The Loft Dental Studio uses CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) 3D imaging to precisely measure your available bone height and sinus anatomy before recommending the appropriate technique.
Sinus lifts are among the most well-documented and predictable bone grafting procedures in implant dentistry. Research spanning over three decades demonstrates success rates exceeding 95 percent when performed by experienced periodontists and oral surgeons. The procedure has evolved significantly, and modern techniques using Piezoelectric instruments, advanced graft materials, and PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) therapy have made the surgery safer and recovery more comfortable than ever before.
A sinus lift is an advanced surgical procedure that involves working in close proximity to the maxillary sinus membrane, a delicate tissue that must be elevated without perforation. Board-certified periodontists like Dr. Ahn complete three additional years of surgical residency training beyond dental school, with extensive experience in bone grafting, tissue management, and implant surgery. This specialized training is critical because the consequences of a poorly performed sinus lift include graft failure, chronic sinus infection, and the inability to place implants.
Dr. Ahn's Yale residency training provided rigorous education in the surgical anatomy of the maxillary sinus, including the management of septa (bony dividers within the sinus), variations in membrane thickness, and the vascular supply that must be preserved during surgery. With over 5,000 implants placed throughout his career, Dr. Ahn has encountered and successfully managed the full spectrum of sinus anatomies and complications.
Periodontist vs. General Dentist for Sinus Lifts: While some general dentists offer sinus lift procedures after weekend courses, the nuances of membrane management, graft material selection, and complication handling are best managed by a specialist who performs these procedures routinely. A board-certified periodontist has demonstrated mastery through rigorous examination and ongoing continuing education. When your implant outcome depends on the quality of the bone graft, choosing a specialist is the most important decision you can make.
Dr. Ahn offers two distinct sinus lift techniques, and the choice depends on your available bone height, the number of implants planned, and your specific anatomy. Both approaches are performed at our Costa Mesa office, just 10 minutes from Newport Beach.
The crestal approach is less invasive and has a faster recovery, but it is only appropriate when there is enough native bone to stabilize the implant and the sinus floor needs only modest elevation. When significant bone height is needed, the lateral window approach allows me to place a larger volume of graft material with direct visualization of the sinus membrane, which means greater control and more predictable results. I determine the best approach based on your CBCT measurements, not a one-size-fits-all protocol. Many patients are surprised that even the lateral approach is quite comfortable, especially with PRF therapy accelerating the healing process.
Not every patient who needs upper jaw implants will require a sinus lift. However, the following situations commonly necessitate sinus augmentation before or during implant placement.
Every sinus lift begins with a CBCT 3D scan at our Costa Mesa office. This advanced imaging provides millimeter-accurate measurements of your available bone height, sinus floor position, membrane thickness, and the presence of any sinus septa or pathology. Dr. Ahn uses these images to plan the exact location and extent of the sinus lift, select the appropriate technique, and determine whether simultaneous implant placement is feasible.
Sinus lift surgery is performed under local anesthesia for complete numbness. IV sedation, oral sedation, and nitrous oxide are available for patients who prefer additional relaxation. Most patients who choose IV sedation report having no memory of the procedure. Learn more about our sedation options.
For the lateral approach, Dr. Ahn makes an incision in the gum tissue on the cheek side of the upper jaw and elevates a flap to expose the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus. Using Piezoelectric ultrasonic instruments, he creates a small window in the bone. Piezoelectric technology cuts bone precisely while automatically stopping when it contacts soft tissue, dramatically reducing the risk of sinus membrane perforation compared to traditional rotary burs. The sinus membrane is then gently elevated from the floor of the sinus, and bone graft material is placed beneath the elevated membrane. A collagen membrane covers the window, and the tissue is sutured closed.
For the crestal approach, Dr. Ahn accesses the sinus through the implant osteotomy site. After preparing the implant site to within 1 to 2 millimeters of the sinus floor, specialized instruments are used to gently fracture the thin remaining bone and elevate the sinus membrane upward. Bone graft material is placed through the osteotomy to fill the space created beneath the elevated membrane, and the implant is then placed in the same appointment.
Dr. Ahn uses PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) therapy with every sinus lift procedure. A small amount of your blood is drawn and centrifuged to concentrate the platelets and growth factors. These PRF membranes are placed over the graft site and mixed with the bone graft material, delivering concentrated growth factors that accelerate soft tissue healing, enhance bone graft integration, and reduce post-operative inflammation and discomfort.
Dr. Ahn provides comprehensive CBCT evaluation to determine whether you need a sinus lift and which technique is right for your implant goals. Just 10 minutes from Newport Beach.
Call (714) 549-7030Sinus lift costs depend on the technique used, whether implants are placed simultaneously, and the complexity of the case. At The Loft Dental Studio, we provide a detailed cost breakdown after your CBCT evaluation so there are no surprises.
Many PPO dental insurance plans cover sinus lifts when they are medically necessary for implant placement. Coverage typically falls under the plan's surgical or bone grafting benefits and ranges from 50 to 80 percent of the allowed fee. Our administrative team verifies your benefits before treatment so you know your exact out-of-pocket cost 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. We also accept FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account) funds. For more details, visit our Insurance & Payment page.
The Loft Dental Studio is located in the South Coast Metro area of Costa Mesa, just 10 minutes from Newport Beach. Our address is 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
Free parking is available in the building lot. The office is located near South Coast Plaza and John Wayne Airport (SNA), making it a convenient stop for Newport Beach residents running errands in the area.
A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation, is a surgical procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw in the premolar and molar region. The maxillary sinuses sit directly above this area, and when bone height is insufficient, the sinus membrane is carefully lifted upward and bone graft material is placed beneath it. This creates a solid foundation for dental implants. You may need a sinus lift if you lost teeth in the upper back jaw and bone has resorbed over time, if the sinus naturally sits too low (anatomic variation), or if periodontal disease or infection caused bone loss. At The Loft Dental Studio, Dr. Ahn uses CBCT 3D imaging to precisely measure your available bone and determine which sinus lift technique is right for you.
A lateral window sinus lift typically takes 60 to 90 minutes per side. A crestal (internal) sinus lift is faster, usually 20 to 30 minutes, since it is performed through the implant site itself. If dental implants are being placed simultaneously with the sinus lift, add approximately 15 to 20 minutes per implant. The total appointment time, including anesthesia administration and preparation, is usually 90 minutes to 2 hours for a lateral approach and 45 minutes to 1 hour for a crestal approach. Dr. Ahn plans each case meticulously with CBCT imaging beforehand so the surgical time is efficient and predictable.
Yes, simultaneous implant placement is often possible when there is at least 4 to 5 millimeters of native bone height remaining below the sinus floor. This existing bone provides enough initial stability to anchor the implant while the grafted bone matures around it. When bone height is less than 4 millimeters, a staged approach is recommended: the sinus lift is performed first, and after 6 to 9 months of healing, the implants are placed into the newly formed bone. Dr. Ahn evaluates your CBCT scan to determine which approach offers the best long-term outcome for your specific anatomy.
A small perforation of the sinus membrane (called a Schneiderian membrane) occurs in approximately 10 to 25 percent of sinus lift procedures and is a recognized complication that experienced periodontists are trained to manage. Dr. Ahn uses Piezoelectric ultrasonic instruments rather than traditional rotary burs to create the lateral window, which significantly reduces the risk of membrane perforation. If a small tear does occur, it is repaired with a collagen membrane and the procedure continues. Larger perforations may require aborting the procedure and allowing the membrane to heal for 3 to 6 months before reattempting. Dr. Ahn's experience with thousands of implant cases gives him the skill to manage these situations predictably.
The Loft Dental Studio is located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, just 10 minutes from Newport Beach. The most direct route is via CA-55 South to the Baker Street exit. You can also take Newport Boulevard or Superior Avenue north from Newport Beach, both of which connect directly to the South Coast Metro area where our office is located. The office is conveniently situated near South Coast Plaza and John Wayne Airport, with ample free parking available in the building.
Dr. Ahn uses a combination of bone graft materials tailored to each patient's needs. The most common approach combines allograft (processed human donor bone) with xenograft (bovine-derived bone mineral) to provide both a scaffold for new bone growth and long-term volume stability. In some cases, autogenous bone (your own bone harvested from the surgical site) is mixed in to introduce living bone cells that accelerate new bone formation. A resorbable collagen membrane is placed over the graft to protect it and guide tissue healing. Dr. Ahn also applies PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) derived from your own blood to deliver concentrated growth factors that enhance graft integration and soft tissue healing.