The closed sinus lift, also known as the "minimally invasive" sinus lift, involves elevating the sinus floor through the opening drilled for the implant, using specialised tools. This method is only appropriate when there is sufficient remaining bone height. It allows for safely raising the sinus floor by approximately 3 mm.
The procedure involves expanding or deepening the bone structure between the tooth roots and the maxillary sinus, improving the site for implant placement. The typical steps are as follows:
- Access to the sinus is gained from the cheek side;
- The intact sinus membrane is lifted — the minimum distance between the sinus floor and the alveolar ridge should be no less than 5 mm;
- The cavity is then filled with your own bone or synthetic material, which stimulates new bone growth.
Depending on the bone condition, the implant may be placed either during the same session or at a later stage.
Healing time ranges from 4 to 8 months, depending on the type of bone grafting material used. Overall, a closed sinus lift can increase vertical bone height by 3–4 mm.