A closed sinus lift is the more conservative sibling of the open sinus lift, a less invasive way to add just enough bone height in the upper back jaw to support an implant, often letting your surgeon place the implant in the very same visit. This guide explains what a closed sinus lift involves and when it applies instead of the more extensive open approach.
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Also known as an internal or osteotome sinus lift, a closed sinus lift is performed through the same small opening used to place the implant itself, rather than through a separate surgical window in the side of the jaw. Your surgeon gently elevates the sinus floor from below, using specialised instruments, and places a small amount of graft material to build the additional height needed, often just a few millimetres, before placing the implant in the same procedure.
Because it works through the implant site rather than requiring separate surgical access, a closed sinus lift is considerably less invasive than an open sinus lift, with a shorter procedure time and, in many cases, no separate healing period before implant placement.
A closed sinus lift is suitable when the bone deficiency beneath the sinus is relatively modest, generally where 5-8mm of bone height already exists, needing only a small additional lift rather than a substantial rebuild. This is a common finding in patients who have been missing an upper back tooth for a moderate period, where some resorption has occurred but not to the extent requiring a full open sinus lift.
If your CBCT scan shows a larger deficiency, your surgeon will recommend an open sinus lift instead, covered in detail in our open sinus lift guide. The distinction matters clinically: using a closed approach for a deficiency too large for it risks an unstable implant, which is why this decision is made from 3D imaging rather than guesswork.
The biggest practical advantage of a closed sinus lift is timing. Because the procedure is performed through the implant site itself, many patients have both the sinus lift and the implant placed in a single surgical visit, rather than the separate staged approach an open sinus lift usually requires. This can meaningfully shorten the overall treatment timeline for patients who only have moderate bone deficiency, sometimes saving several months compared to the open sinus lift pathway.
Assessment
X-rays and, when needed, a CBCT scan confirm the bone height available and that a closed approach is appropriate for your specific deficiency.
Surgery
Under local anaesthesia, the implant site is prepared, the sinus floor is gently elevated from below using specialised instruments, graft material is placed, and in most cases the implant is placed in the same session.
Healing
Osseointegration proceeds as with any standard implant, typically three to six months, before the final restoration is fitted.
- Mild swelling for a few days, generally less than an open sinus lift
- Avoid forceful nose blowing or strenuous exercise for the first two weeks
- Soft foods during initial healing
- Standard implant aftercare thereafter, since the implant is often placed in the same session
A closed sinus lift in Turkey typically costs less than an open sinus lift given its more conservative scope, and remains significantly lower than equivalent treatment in the UK, Ireland or Germany. When combined with same-day implant placement, your quote from SDS Dental covers the full procedure, confirmed in writing before you travel.
"A closed sinus lift is a lesser or inferior procedure compared to open." Not at all. It is simply the appropriate technique for a smaller bone deficiency. Using an open approach when a closed one would suffice would mean unnecessary invasiveness, not a superior result. The right technique is the one matched to your actual anatomy.
"If I need a closed sinus lift, my implant might fail." When correctly matched to the bone deficiency present, implants placed with a closed sinus lift show success rates comparable to standard implant placement; the key factor is accurate assessment beforehand, not the technique itself being inherently riskier.
Deciding between a closed and open sinus lift requires precise 3D measurement and surgical judgement; the wrong choice risks either an unnecessarily invasive procedure or an inadequately supported implant. Dr. Seçil's academic background in implantology means this assessment is made carefully from your CBCT scan, with the least invasive appropriate technique always recommended first.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases yes, because the procedure is performed through the implant site itself, the implant is often placed in the same surgical visit.
A CBCT scan measures your exact bone height beneath the sinus. Closed lifts suit moderate deficiencies (roughly 5-8mm existing bone); larger deficiencies require an open approach.
It is generally less invasive with a shorter procedure time and typically milder swelling afterward, since it avoids a separate surgical window.
No, when the technique is correctly matched to the bone deficiency present, closed sinus lift implants show success rates comparable to standard implant placement.
Wondering if you need an open or closed sinus lift?
Send your scan for a free review. Your doctor will confirm the least invasive technique appropriate for your case.