Dental implants
Implant Dentistry
Sinus Lift in Turkey
Sinus Lift in Turkey: CBCT assessment, lateral window or crestal approach, sinus membrane care, healing time and flying and nose-blowing precautions.
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What is sinus lift?
The maxillary sinuses are air-filled spaces that sit above the roots of the upper back teeth. When these teeth are lost, the bone beneath the sinus can thin and the sinus floor may extend downwards, sometimes leaving only a few millimetres of bone. A sinus lift gently raises the thin membrane that lines the sinus floor and places graft material in the space created, so that over time new bone can form and provide enough height for an implant.
There are two main approaches. In a lateral window technique, a small opening is made in the side wall of the upper jaw, the membrane is lifted through it and graft is placed beneath; it is generally used where more height is needed. In a crestal (osteotome) technique, the sinus floor is gently pushed up through the implant site from below; it is less invasive but suited to more modest height gains. Depending on the bone available, the implant may be placed at the same visit or after the graft has healed.
A sinus lift is a specific type of bone grafting used only in the upper back jaw. Rebuilding width or height elsewhere along the ridge is covered on the dental bone grafting page. The availability of sinus lift surgery at our clinic is confirmed during your consultation.
What it can help with
- Increase bone height beneath the sinus in the upper back jaw
- Allow implants of a suitable length to be considered in this area
- Support fixed teeth where a removable plate would otherwise be needed
- Protect the sinus membrane while the graft heals
Results · before & after
Real smiles, visible change.
Before and after photographs from sinus lift and related treatments at our clinic in Istanbul. Drag the handle to compare each pair.
All dental results
Dental implants
Case 02
Dental implants
Case 03
Dental implants
Case 04
Who is sinus lift for?
Suitability depends on both the bone and the sinus itself. A healthy, clear sinus is generally needed, so existing sinus problems are reviewed and sometimes treated before surgery is considered.
Often a good fit
- Adults missing upper back teeth who want implants in that area
- Patients with reduced bone height beneath the sinus on CBCT imaging
- People without active sinus infection or uncontrolled chronic sinusitis
- Non-smokers, or those prepared to stop smoking during healing
Assessed carefully
- Remaining bone height and the shape of the sinus floor
- Chronic sinusitis, polyps, allergies or previous sinus surgery
- Smoking, which can impair graft healing
- Diabetes control and other conditions affecting healing
- Medicines that affect bleeding or bone metabolism
- Travel plans, particularly flights soon after surgery
Honest information
Benefits, limitations & risks
Potential benefits
- May allow implants where bone height under the sinus is otherwise insufficient
- Can support implants of a suitable length for the bite in the back of the mouth
- A crestal approach may allow lift and implant together in suitable cases
- Can restore the option of fixed upper back teeth
Limitations
- Adds time to implant treatment, often several months
- Requires a healthy sinus; existing sinus disease may need attention first
- Crestal techniques are limited in how much height they can gain
- Usually involves more than one trip to Istanbul
Possible risks
- Swelling, bruising and discomfort, sometimes extending to the cheek
- Minor nose bleeding or congestion in the first days
- Perforation of the sinus membrane during surgery
- Sinus infection or inflammation after surgery
- Graft failure or less bone formation than planned
- Rarely, displacement of graft material or an implant into the sinus
The procedure
Sinus Lift, step by step
Sinus lifts are planned around precise measurements of bone height and sinus anatomy, choosing the least invasive approach likely to gain the height needed. Protecting the membrane and the sinus’s normal function guides every step.
Step 01CBCT assessment
A cone-beam CT scan measures the bone height beneath the sinus and shows the sinus floor, membrane thickness and any signs of sinus disease. From this, your clinician explains whether a lift is needed and which approach is likely to suit.
Step 02Anaesthesia and access
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. For a lateral approach, a small flap of gum is lifted and a window is prepared in the outer wall of the jaw; for a crestal approach, the implant site is prepared to just below the sinus floor.
Step 03Membrane elevation
The sinus membrane is carefully separated from the bone and lifted. This is the most delicate stage, as the membrane is thin; if a small tear occurs, it may be repaired or the plan adjusted.
Step 04Grafting and closure
Graft material is placed in the new space beneath the membrane. Where enough bone exists to hold it firmly, an implant may be placed at the same time. The window is often covered with a membrane and the gum is stitched closed.
Step 05Healing and review
Over the following months the graft is gradually replaced by bone. Stitches dissolve or are removed, and a further scan before implant placement or loading helps confirm the area is ready.
Gallery
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Sinus lift or bone grafting — what is the difference?
Bone grafting is the broad term for rebuilding missing jawbone, most often width or height along the ridge, anywhere in the mouth. A sinus lift is one specific kind of graft, used only in the upper back jaw, where the sinus floor is raised from inside so graft can be placed beneath it to gain height. Some plans involve one, some both, and many implant patients need neither.
- Dental bone graftingWhere bone width rather than height beneath the sinus is lacking, a ridge graft may be the relevant procedure.
- All-on-4 dental implantsFor a full upper arch, angled rear implants are designed to use existing bone in front of the sinus, which may avoid a lift.
- Dental bridgesWhere suitable neighbouring teeth exist, a bridge can replace a missing back tooth without surgery in the sinus area.
- Short implantsIn selected cases, a shorter implant may fit the existing bone; your clinician will discuss whether this is appropriate.
Before & after treatment
Preparation & aftercare
Before you travel
- Report any sinus problems, allergies, recent colds or previous nasal surgery
- Share all medicines and supplements, especially those affecting bleeding
- Stop smoking before and after surgery for as long as advised
- Avoid booking a flight soon after surgery until your clinician has advised on timing
- Postpone surgery if you develop a cold or sinus infection beforehand — let the clinic know
Afterwards
- Follow your clinician’s written instructions; they take priority over this summary
- Do not blow your nose forcefully for the period advised; dab gently instead
- If you need to sneeze, try to do so with your mouth open to reduce sinus pressure
- Avoid straws, heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and swimming in the first days
- Take any prescribed medicines, nasal sprays and mouthwash exactly as directed
- Contact the clinic about heavy nose bleeding, increasing pain or swelling, fever or graft particles in the nose
In their words
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Questions
Asked about sinus lift.
General answers — your own plan always depends on an individual assessment.
All dental questionsWill a sinus lift affect my breathing or voice?
The procedure works on the floor of the sinus, not the nasal airway. Temporary congestion or slight nose bleeding is common at first, but lasting changes to breathing or voice are not expected.
What is the difference between a lateral and a crestal sinus lift?
A lateral lift reaches the sinus through a small window in the side of the jaw and is generally used when more height is needed. A crestal lift works through the implant site from below and suits smaller height gains. Your scan guides which is appropriate.
When can I fly after a sinus lift?
Cabin pressure changes can affect a healing sinus, so your clinician will advise on the timing for you. Your coordinator can help plan travel dates around this before surgery is booked.
Can the implant be placed at the same time?
Sometimes. If the existing bone can hold the implant firmly, it may be placed during the same procedure. Where bone is very thin, the graft usually heals first and the implant follows later.
What if the sinus membrane tears?
Small perforations can happen and are often repaired during surgery, for example with a resorbable membrane. In some cases the procedure is paused and repeated after healing. Your clinician will explain what happened and the next steps.
I have chronic sinusitis — can I still have a sinus lift?
It depends on the cause and how well it is controlled. Your clinician may recommend assessment or treatment of the sinus first, and in some cases an alternative that avoids the sinus may be discussed.
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