Sinus Lifting in Antalya, Turkey: The Open Sinus Lift

The upper jaw's back region sits directly beneath the maxillary sinus, an air-filled cavity behind the cheekbones. When teeth are lost in this area, the bone beneath the sinus resorbs over time, and the sinus floor can gradually drop lower, leaving too little bone height for a standard implant. An open sinus lift creates a small window in the side wall of the sinus, gently lifts the sinus membrane upward, and places bone graft material in the space created beneath it, building the height needed to support implants.

This is called "open" because it involves direct surgical access through the side of the jawbone, distinguishing it from the less invasive closed (internal) sinus lift approach used for smaller height deficiencies.

An open sinus lift is typically recommended when a CBCT scan shows significant bone height deficiency in the upper back jaw, generally where less than 4-5mm of bone remains beneath the sinus, too little for even angled implant placement to work safely. It is common in patients who have been missing back upper teeth for many years, since this is the region where bone resorption and sinus expansion happen most noticeably over time.

If your deficiency is more moderate, a closed sinus lift performed at the same time as implant placement may be sufficient instead, a less invasive route we cover in our closed sinus lift guide. Your doctor determines which applies to you from your scan, not from a blanket policy applied to every posterior upper case.

Assessment

X-rays and, when needed, a CBCT scan measure existing bone height and sinus anatomy, confirming an open approach is needed rather than a closed lift.

Surgery

Under local anaesthesia, a small window is opened in the lateral sinus wall, the sinus membrane is carefully elevated, and graft material is placed in the space beneath it. The window is then closed and left to heal.

Healing Before Implants

Unlike a closed sinus lift, an open sinus lift is usually completed as a standalone procedure, with implants placed separately once the graft has sufficiently integrated, typically six to nine months later, sometimes longer depending on the graft volume needed.

The core difference is scale and access. An open sinus lift is used for larger height deficiencies and involves a dedicated surgical window, typically followed by a separate healing period before implants are placed. A closed sinus lift is a smaller, more conservative procedure performed through the implant site itself, often allowing implant placement in the very same session. If your deficiency is borderline, your surgeon will explain which category your case falls into and why. This is not a decision to make based on cost alone, since using an inadequate technique for a larger deficiency risks a poorly supported implant.

• Mild to moderate swelling for the first week, managed with prescribed medication
• Avoid blowing your nose forcefully or strenuous exercise for the first two weeks
• Soft foods and no smoking during initial healing
• Follow-up scan to confirm graft integration before implant placement is booked

An open sinus lift in Antalya, Turkey typically costs significantly less than equivalent treatment in the UK, Ireland or Germany. Where combined with later implant placement, your quote from SDS Dental covers the full treatment pathway, confirmed in writing before you travel.

The main risk specific to sinus lift surgery is perforation of the sinus membrane during elevation, a recognised complication that, when it occurs, is usually managed during the same surgery with a collagen membrane and does not typically prevent the procedure from proceeding successfully. The likelihood of this is directly related to surgical experience and careful technique, which is why precise 3D imaging and an experienced surgical hand matter as much here as in any other bone augmentation procedure.

Sinus infection is another possible complication, minimised through sterile surgical protocol and, where appropriate, antibiotic cover. As with any bone grafting procedure, smoking significantly increases the risk of graft failure and is strongly discouraged during the healing period.

Sinus lift surgery requires precise understanding of sinus anatomy and careful membrane handling to avoid perforation, a risk that is minimised through surgical experience and proper 3D planning rather than technique alone. Dr. Seçil's academic background in implantology covers this exact category of advanced bone augmentation, planned and performed personally for every case at our clinic in Konyaaltı, Antalya, rather than delegated to a rotating surgical team.