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Sinus Lift (Building Bone for Upper Implants) in Turkey

What is a sinus lift?

A sinus lift—also called sinus augmentation—is a procedure that adds bone to the upper back jaw (behind the canine teeth) when natural bone height is too short for implants. 

The maxillary sinus is an air space above the roots of your upper back teeth. After tooth loss, the sinus drops and the jawbone shrinks, leaving not enough depth to hold an implant safely. 

By gently lifting the sinus membrane and placing bone graft material underneath, we increase bone height so an implant can be placed with secure support.

Best for: Insufficient upper back jaw bone (molar/premolar area) before dental implants

Duration: 45–90 minutes (per side)

Why Bone is Missing There

The back upper jaw often loses bone faster because it is made of softer bone, and because the sinus can expand into the empty space after tooth loss. This is normal biology. A sinus lift reverses that change by rebuilding the floor of the sinus with new bone.

Types of Sinus Lift (simple overview)

  • Internal (crestal) lift:
    A small lift done through the implant site using special instruments. Best when you only need a few millimetres of extra height. Often the implant is placed the same day.

  • Lateral window lift:
    A side approach when you need more height. We open a tiny bony window, raise the membrane, place graft material, and close it. The implant may be placed now if stability is good, or after healing if more support is needed.

What Materials are Used?

We use named, traceable graft materials. These may be:

  • Your own bone (small shavings) mixed as needed

  • Processed bone mineral or synthetic bone with a long safety record

  • A membrane to protect the graft while it heals

Your plan lists exact brands and batch numbers for full transparency.

Sinus Lifting Process: Step by Step

Building the strong foundation needed for your implants. Safe, proven, and effective.

01 Plan

Consultation & 3D Planning

Photos, exam, and a CBCT scan measure bone height, sinus shape, and safe areas. We discuss options, timelines, and costs in plain English. You receive a clear written plan.

02 Surgery

Treatment Day

You are made numb with local anaesthetic (sedation available). We prepare the site, raise the sinus membrane with gentle instruments, and place the graft. If stable, we may place the implant same-day.

03 Heal

Healing Phase

The area can feel full or tender for a few days. Simple pain relief, cool packs, and rest help. The new bone forms over 4–6 months (sometimes 6–9 months for large lifts).

04 Secure

Implant Placement / Uncovering

If the implant wasn't placed on day one, we place it once the new bone is strong. If it was, we uncover it later and begin the abutment and crown steps.

05 Restore

Final Tooth

After the implant fuses with the new bone, we fit your custom crown or bridge and carefully check your bite for a natural feel.

The Process in Pics

What Does It Feel Like?

During: Pressure, Not Pain You are fully numb. You will feel some vibration and pushing sensations as we lift the sinus membrane, but no sharp pain. It is surprisingly quick.
After: The "Stuffy" Feeling You may feel like you have a head cold or a blocked nose for a few days. Minor nosebleeds (a few drops) are common and normal on day one.

The "Golden Rules" of Healing

Because the graft is near your air sinus, pressure changes can disturb it. You must follow these rules for 2 weeks:

Do Not Blow Nose
Wipe only. Blowing creates pressure that can dislodge the graft material.
Sneeze With Mouth Open
If you must sneeze, do not hold it in. Let the pressure escape through your mouth.
No Flying / Diving
Avoid pressurized cabins or deep diving until we confirm initial healing (usually 5-10 days).
No Straws / Smoking
Suction creates a vacuum in the mouth that can disturb the wound. Drink from a cup.
Risks & How We Reduce Them
  • Membrane Tear: The thin lining of the sinus can tear. If small, we repair it instantly. If large, we may pause and let it heal first.
  • Infection: Rare, but possible. We prescribe antibiotics and special mouthwash to prevent this.
  • Graft Movement: Following the "Golden Rules" above prevents the bone granules from shifting.

Who Can Have a Sinus Lift?

Most people with bone loss in the upper jaw are eligible. However, you need:

  • Healthy Gums: No active periodontal disease
  • Clear Sinuses: No acute sinus infection at time of surgery
  • Controlled Health: Diabetes must be under control
  • Non-Smoking: Or able to stop for the healing period

Results & Longevity

Solid
Foundation
A well-healed sinus lift creates permanent, stable bone that can support implants for decades. Once the bone matures (4-6 months), it is as strong as your natural jawbone, giving your implants the solid footing they need to chew anything.

Alternatives if a Sinus Lift isn't Ideal

Short Implants
We use wider, shorter implants that stop just before the sinus floor. Only possible if you have at least some bone height remaining.
Tilted Implants (All-on-4)
We place long implants at an angle to bypass the sinus cavity entirely. A great full-jaw solution that often avoids grafting.
Dental Bridges
Uses teeth on either side of the gap for support. No surgery or bone required, but it does involve filing down healthy teeth.

Your Frequently Asked Questions About Sinus Lifting

Will I be able to fly after a sinus lift?

Not straight away. We usually advise no flying for 2–3 weeks. Pressure changes can stress the graft.

During treatment you’re numb. Afterwards you may feel pressure and swelling for a few days. Simple pain relief helps.

If we place it on the day, it heals in place. If not, expect 4–6 months (sometimes 6–9 months) before implant placement.

It can happen. We repair it or pause to protect healing. We’ll explain and adjust your timeline.

Your plan lists named, traceable materials—often a mix of your own bone shavings and bone mineral or synthetic graft.

A stuffy feeling is common for a short time. We give aftercare and, when appropriate, medication to keep things comfortable and safe.

Smoking raises risks and slows healing. We strongly advise stopping before and after surgery.

It’s uncommon with good planning and aftercare. If a graft area doesn’t mature well, we can top it up or stage implants late

Not usually. We can plan temporary options that avoid pressure on the graft.

Gently. Soft brush around the area, no vigorous rinsing the first day, then follow the mouthwash plan we give you.

Why Choose Opus Smile for Sinus Lift

UK-backed implant bone-building | CBCT-planned sinus augmentation | Safe, clear, modern

Our focus is your result. We set clear expectations, give honest guidance, and support you from first message to final crown. Every partner clinic is vetted for safety, outcomes, and patient experience. Your sinus lift is digitally planned with CBCT and delivered by internationally trained clinicians using named, traceable graft materials.

You keep the best of both worlds: significant savings versus typical UK private fees plus a written warranty and UK-based aftercare. No bait pricing. No pressure. We assess first, explain options, and confirm exact costs only after proper diagnostics.

Hear it from real patients. Explore verified reviews on Trustpilot and see before-and-after stories that show safe bone gains leading to stable implants.

What you get with Opus Smile (Sinus Lift)

  • CBCT-led planning to measure bone height, sinus shape, and safe zones
  • The right technique for you: internal (crestal) lift for small gains or lateral window for larger lifts
  • Named, traceable graft materials (and membranes) written into your plan
  • Option for implant placement at the same visit when stability allows, or staged timing when safer
  • Clear prices after diagnosticsno hidden extras
  • Written aftercare (e.g., no nose-blowing, open-mouth sneezing, soft foods, head-up sleep) for smooth healing
  • Comfort options (local anaesthetic; sedation where available)
  • Written warranty and a UK-based aftercare network
  • Hygiene coaching and review schedule to protect the graft and future implant
  • Travel help and multilingual support at partner clinics
Hannah Patient Manager

Hannah

Patient Manager

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