Live Surgical Sinus Lift Course: Lateral Window & Crestal Techniques

The Cases You're Referring Away

For most implant dentists, the posterior maxilla is where treatment plans stall. Insufficient bone height turns straightforward implant cases into referrals — or into compromises. Sinus augmentation is the skill that changes that, and it is exactly the procedure most dentists never get a supervised opportunity to perform.

This live surgical sinus lift course exists to provide that opportunity — safely, progressively, and in the smallest cohort we run: just two surgical seats per course, plus up to three observation seats, led by Dr. Blake Adams.

How the three days are structured

Day 1 combines lecture with hands-on cadaver training. In the didactic sessions you'll work through patient selection and risk assessment, maxillary sinus anatomy, flap design, the lateral window and crestal approaches and when each is indicated, bone grafting material selection, management of sinus membrane perforations, operation of the W&H piezosurgery console, and post-operative complications. Then every attendee — surgical and observation registrants alike — moves to the cadaver lab to apply those techniques on human anatomy before any live patient is involved.

Days 2 and 3 are case review and live surgery. After reviewing each scheduled case as a group, the two surgical-seat dentists perform lateral window sinus lift procedures on live patients under direct instructor supervision — on average four lateral windows per participant across the two surgical days — though, as with all live-patient education, patient circumstances vary and Implant Education Company does not guarantee the number of procedures each attending dentist will complete. Observation registrants attend the case reviews and observe the surgeries.

Why the format works

Sinus elevation is a tactile procedure — membrane feel, window preparation, graft condensation — and tactile skills are not learned from a lecture seat. With only two dentists operating, an experienced instructor is beside you through every case: guiding window design, watching the membrane, and helping you manage what the anatomy presents. There is no smaller live surgical format in implant education.

Two ways to attend

The two surgical seats are for dentists ready to treat live patients. The three observation seats ($3,500) include everything except the live surgical participation — the full Day 1 lecture, the hands-on cadaver training, the case reviews, and surgical observation — making them a genuine training experience, not a back-row ticket, and a natural first pass at the course before returning for a surgical seat.

What to know before registering

Because surgical-seat attendees treat live patients, all non-Arizona U.S.-licensed dentists must obtain a temporary Arizona dental license before the course; the process may take two to three months, so register early. A dental assistant may attend with you at no charge.

Where this fits in your training

This is an advanced program. It assumes you already place implants and are ready to add the surgical skill that unlocks the posterior maxilla. If you're earlier in your implant training, start with our foundational dental implant cadaver course — then come back for this.

Two surgical seats. Three observation seats. Register below.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, attendees should be able to:

1. Assess and select patients for sinus augmentation, including risk assessment and contraindications.
2. Identify maxillary sinus anatomy relevant to elevation procedures.
3. Differentiate the lateral window and crestal approaches and the indications for each.
4. Plan flap designs appropriate to lateral window access.
5. Select bone grafting materials for sinus augmentation.
6. Demonstrate operation of the W&H piezosurgery console for surgical access.
7. Practice lateral window access and sinus elevation technique on cadaver specimens.
8. Manage sinus membrane perforations, including prevention and repair strategies.
9. Perform lateral window sinus lift procedures on live patients under direct instructor supervision (surgical-seat registrants).
10. Evaluate post-operative complications and their management.
11. Present and discuss surgical cases in structured pre-operative case reviews.
12. Integrate sinus augmentation into implant treatment planning for the posterior maxilla.

Who Teaches It

Sinus Lift Course FAQs

Do I actually perform sinus lift surgery on live patients?

Surgical-seat registrants do. After Day 1's lecture and hands-on cadaver training, the two surgical-seat dentists perform lateral window sinus lift procedures on live patients under direct instructor supervision on Days 2 and 3 — on average four lateral windows per participant. Patient circumstances vary, and the number of procedures per attendee is not guaranteed. Only two surgical seats are available per course.

What do the observation seats include?

Up to three observation seats are offered per course at $3,500. Observation registrants participate fully in the Day 1 lecture and the hands-on cadaver training, join the case reviews, and observe both live surgical days — everything except live surgical participation. Observation registrants earn the same full 24 CEUs. Many dentists use an observation seat as a first pass before returning for a surgical seat.

How experienced do I need to be for this sinus lift course?

The surgical seats are advanced: you should already be placing implants and be comfortable with flap design and suturing. Observation seats suit dentists earlier in that progression; those newer to implant surgery should start with our Level 1 dental implant cadaver course.

I'm not licensed in Arizona — can I attend?

Yes. Observation registrants need no Arizona licensure since they treat no patients. Surgical-seat dentists licensed outside Arizona must obtain a temporary Arizona dental license before the course — the process may take two to three months, so start the application when you register.

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