AI-translated archive post
Barunyoung Dental Clinic · 약수역 6번출구 바른영치과 · May 27, 2026
Hello, I am Tae-young Kim, the director of Bareunyoung Dental Clinic near Yak-su Station^^ In my previous post, I briefly discussed cases where the bone is naturally thin, such as...
AI translation notice
This page is an English translation of a Korean Naver Blog archive entry. For exact wording and source context, verify against the Korean archive original and the original Naver post.
Clinic: Barunyoung Dental Clinic
Original post date: May 27, 2026
Translated at: August 17, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Medical note: This translation does not guarantee medical accuracy or suitability for treatment decisions.
Hello,
I am Tae-young Kim, the director of Bareunyoung Dental Clinic near Yak-su Station^^
In my previous post, I briefly discussed cases where the bone is naturally thin, such as in the upper molar area, while covering bone grafting for implants.
The upper molar area has a somewhat different environment for implant placement compared with other areas.
The questions most frequently asked by people who need upper molar implants include:
“What is a sinus lift?”
“Is it a very complicated procedure?”
“Why are implants in the upper jaw said to be more challenging?”
These are the areas people are most curious about.
A sinus lift is a procedure that frequently comes up in connection with upper molar implants, but it may feel somewhat unfamiliar from a patient’s perspective.
Today, I will organize the topics patients often ask about, including what the maxillary sinus is, why a sinus lift is necessary, and whether it is possible to proceed with only the implant without a sinus lift.
The maxillary sinus is an air-filled hollow space located above the upper molars.
It is located inside the cheekbones beside the nose, with one on each side.
The maxillary sinus is one of the spaces where air remains when we breathe or produce speech, and it is a normal anatomical structure that everyone has.
The tips of the upper molar roots are often located close to the floor of the maxillary sinus.
Because of this anatomical characteristic, when placing an implant in the upper molar area, it may be necessary to consider the distance from the maxillary sinus as well.
There are several reasons why upper molar implants are considered more challenging than implants in other areas.
First, this is due to the location of the maxillary sinus.
Because the maxillary sinus is located above the upper molars, the height of the gumbone needed for implant placement may be limited.
Second, after extraction, the gumbone is resorbed, and the floor of the maxillary sinus tends to gradually move downward.
If an upper molar is left missing for a long time, the height of the gumbone available for implant placement may become increasingly insufficient over time.
Third, the upper jaw generally has a relatively lower bone density than the lower jaw, which can also affect the ability to achieve initial stability during placement.
Because of these anatomical characteristics, procedures to secure sufficient gumbone height may sometimes be performed along with upper molar implants. The representative procedure among them is a sinus lift.
A sinus lift is a procedure in which the membrane lining the floor of the maxillary sinus is lifted upward, after which bone graft material is placed in the space to secure the gumbone height needed for implant placement.
Simply put, when the gumbone is thin because there is an empty space above it, the procedure creates room for new bone to form.
Depending on the case, the membrane may be lifted without using bone graft material.
Over time, the placed graft material settles together with the patient’s own bone and creates an environment for implant placement.
Some people ask this question before undergoing an upper molar implant procedure.
“Is it really necessary to work on the sinus as well? Can’t you just place the implant?”
If the gumbone height is sufficient, it may be possible to proceed with only the implant without a sinus lift.
However, if only an implant is placed when the gumbone height is insufficient, the following concerns may arise.
The use of an implant that is too short may result in lower long-term stability.
If the gumbone around the implant does not remain stable over time, this may also become a concern.
For these reasons, a sinus lift is often considered for upper molar areas where the gumbone height is insufficient.
To reiterate, a sinus lift is not necessary for every upper molar implant case. The appropriate approach is determined according to the height of the gumbone.
After accurately measuring the gumbone height with a 3D CT scan, the dental team determines whether it is possible to proceed without a sinus lift or whether performing the procedure together with implant placement is more appropriate.
Sinus lifts are broadly divided into two types according to the method of access.
This approach accesses the area from the implant placement site in an upward direction.
The membrane at the floor of the maxillary sinus is gently lifted through the implant placement channel, after which bone graft material is often placed and the implant is inserted at the same time.
This approach is considered when the shortage of gumbone is relatively limited, and the incision area is generally limited as well.
This approach accesses the maxillary sinus directly through its side, toward the cheek.
A small window is made in the outer bone of the maxillary sinus, the membrane at the sinus floor is lifted, and the necessary amount of bone graft material is placed.
This approach is considered when there is substantial gumbone deficiency or when bone grafting over a wide area is necessary.
Both approaches are used in clinical practice.
Which approach is appropriate depends on factors such as the height of the gumbone, the degree of deficiency, and the implant placement site.
The timing of implant placement after a sinus lift may vary depending on the case.
Performing the sinus lift and implant placement at the same time may be considered when sufficient gumbone height remains to obtain initial implant stability.
When the gumbone height is severely insufficient, the sinus lift may be performed first, followed by a period of healing before implant placement.
The appropriate approach is determined together with the dental team based on the patient’s gumbone condition.
Many people are also concerned about pain from a sinus lift.
A sinus lift is generally performed under local anesthesia.
Although there may be differences depending on the access method and the scope of the procedure, swelling or discomfort may be present for several days after surgery and generally gradually subsides over time.
Because the crestal approach involves a relatively limited incision, recovery is generally less burdensome.
The lateral approach involves a wider treatment area, so it may require somewhat more time for recovery.
The exact recovery process may vary depending on the patient’s condition and the scope of the procedure, so it is best to receive individualized guidance.
Unlike a general bone graft, a sinus lift involves an area connected to the maxillary sinus, so several precautions are necessary during the recovery period.
For a certain period after surgery, the following instructions may be provided:
Because the maxillary sinus is connected to the nose, changes in pressure may affect the lifted membrane. For this reason, the above precautions are provided during the recovery period.
You will receive detailed, individualized instructions after the procedure.
In my practice treating implants at a dental clinic near Yak-su Station, whenever I meet an upper molar case, I often realize how much the treatment process can differ based on the location, even when the treatment involves an implant for the same type of tooth.
A sinus lift is a procedure used in clinical practice to supplement an insufficient gumbone environment in the upper molar area.
To summarize today’s information:
This was Bareunyoung Dental Clinic near Yak-su Station^^
I believe that proper care leads to proper results.
We provide treatment so that everyone who visits us can return home feeling more at ease.
Bareunyoung Dental Clinic
This post was written for the purpose of providing medical information and in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act.
Continue browsing
Return to the source archive for more translated posts, or open the Korean clinic profile to compare other public channels.