Sinus lift: enough bone for an implant in the upper jaw

When the bone in the upper jaw no longer has the height needed for an implant, a sinus lift restores it. It is the procedure that makes an implant possible where you have been told it cannot be done.

  • CBCT planning
  • Local anaesthetic · conscious sedation
  • Specialist surgeons
  • Implant and prosthetics in the same plan
Sinus lift — bone grafting in the upper jaw, at Smile by Ada

After an upper molar or premolar is lost, the bone in that area resorbs and the maxillary sinus expands downwards into the space left behind. Within a few years, bone height can fall below 5 millimetres — too little for an implant to be stable. A sinus lift raises the membrane lining the sinus and places grafting material in the space created, restoring the height the implant needs.

The decision is not made on a panoramic X-ray. Every case is planned on CBCT, where the remaining bone is measured precisely, the condition of the sinus is checked and the technique is chosen. The scan also shows whether the implant can be placed in the same session or needs a separate healing period.

The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, in the clinic, and with conscious sedation if needed. We always plan it together with the prosthetic stage, so that you know from the start how many teeth you will have, how long it takes and what the whole treatment costs, not just the surgical step.

When you need a sinus lift

A sinus lift is not a routine procedure but the answer to a specific situation: a lack of bone height in the side area of the upper jaw, where the molars and premolars sit.

  • You lost an upper molar or premolar some time ago and the bone has resorbed
  • You have worn a removable denture for years, which speeds up bone loss
  • You were told elsewhere, on the basis of a panoramic X-ray, that an implant cannot be placed
  • The CBCT shows less than 5-6 mm of bone below the sinus floor

Closed or open: two different procedures

The two techniques are not variations of the same thing. They differ in approach, in the height gained and in healing time, and the choice is made by the CBCT measurement, not by preference.

  • Closed, transcrestal: the membrane is raised through the very site where the implant will go. It is used when there is still enough bone for the implant to be stable from the start. Less height gained, a shorter procedure, less discomfort.
  • Open, with a lateral window: a side access is created, the membrane is raised over a large area and more material is added. It is used when little bone remains. More height gained, longer healing.

What the procedure involves

  • Consultation and CBCT: the bone is measured, the sinus is checked, the technique is decided
  • Local anaesthetic, with conscious sedation if you ask for it or if the situation requires it
  • Raising the sinus membrane and adding the grafting material
  • Stitches. The procedure generally takes between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the technique
  • The implant: in the same session when the remaining bone provides stability, otherwise after healing

Recovery

The first 48 hours need the most care. Swelling and bruising in the cheek area are normal and subside within a few days.

Bone healing usually takes between 4 and 9 months before prosthetic loading, depending on the technique and the material used. Your surgeon will give you the exact timeframe after a check-up.

  • Do not blow your nose during the period indicated — the pressure can displace the added material
  • Sneeze with your mouth open
  • No straws, no smoking, no strenuous physical activity
  • Take the prescribed antibiotic and decongestant exactly as directed
  • Avoid flying for as long as your surgeon advises

Risks and situations where it is not performed

We tell you about them beforehand, not afterwards.

  • The most common complication is perforation of the sinus membrane. It is recognised during the procedure and in most cases dealt with in the same session; sometimes the procedure is postponed
  • Post-operative sinusitis and infection of the added material are rare, but possible
  • It is not performed during acute sinusitis or with untreated chronic rhinosinusitis
  • Heavy smoking reduces the chances of integration
  • Previous sinus surgery and uncontrolled medical conditions require additional assessment, sometimes together with an ENT specialist

What it includes

  • ✓Closed (transcrestal) sinus lift — access through the implant site
  • ✓Open (lateral window) sinus lift — for large bone deficits
  • ✓Associated bone grafting
  • ✓CBCT planning
  • ✓Implant in the same session, when initial stability allows

Sinus lift prices

Indicative fees for sinus lift at Smile by Ada, Bucharest. The final price is confirmed at your consultation and depends on the complexity of your case.

  • Closed sinus lift

    2,300 lei≈ €435

  • Open sinus lift

    4,000 lei≈ €760

Fees are charged in Romanian lei (RON). Euro amounts are approximate, at today's National Bank of Romania rate.

See all dental prices →
Your specialists

Dr. George Stuparu

Specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery

Dr. Alexandra Gheorghe Prunache

Specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery

Cases with insufficient bone are planned on CBCT and carried out in a controlled environment, with conscious sedation options for greater comfort.

Frequently asked questions

Does it hurt?

The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you feel no pain during it. The discomfort afterwards is controlled with the prescribed painkillers and is most noticeable in the first two days.

How long do I have to wait for the implant?

It depends on the technique and on how much bone you had to begin with. When the remaining bone allows, the implant is placed in the same session. Otherwise, healing usually takes between 4 and 9 months.

I was told elsewhere that I do not have enough bone for an implant. Is it the same thing?

Not necessarily. That conclusion is often drawn from a panoramic X-ray, which does not measure bone height accurately. The real measurement is made on CBCT, and a sinus lift exists precisely for cases where bone is missing.

How much does a sinus lift cost?

The prices of the two techniques are in the price list below. We give you the full plan — sinus lift, implant and prosthetic restoration — in writing after the consultation with CBCT, not as a rough estimate over the phone.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes. On the financing options page you will find the available payment plans and a calculator that shows the estimated instalment based on the amount and the number of instalments.

Sources and references

The information above is for education only and does not replace a medical consultation.