A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that creates enough bone in the back of the upper jaw to place a dental implant safely and for the long term. After the upper molars are lost, the bone beneath the maxillary sinus thins quickly, which makes grafting here one of the most common preparations for an implant in my practice. Healing takes 4–9 months; in favourable cases I place the implant at the same time and there is no extra wait.
Who it is for
- Patients missing upper molars or premolars whose 3D scan shows less than 5–8 mm of bone between the ridge and the sinus floor.
- Anyone who has worn a removable denture for many years and whose ridge has shrunk beneath it, or who has lost bone to infection.
- Anyone who wants a fixed solution on implants but was told elsewhere that there is “not enough bone”.
When I advise against the procedure or postpone it:
- During an active sinus infection or with polyps; an ENT examination comes first.
- With poorly controlled diabetes and in smokers of more than 10 cigarettes a day, because smoking markedly lowers the chance of successful healing.
- If you take bisphosphonates or after radiotherapy to the head and neck, we decide case by case, together with your physician.
- When there is a simpler route: short implants, tilted implants in the All-on-4 concept or, with extensive bone loss, a subperiosteal implant.
How it works
- First visit with a 3D CBCT scan. On the 3D scan I measure bone height and width to the millimetre, the position of the sinus floor and the condition of the membrane. You receive a written treatment plan with the final price.
- Closed sinus lift, if only 2–4 mm of bone is missing: through the implant site I gently raise the sinus floor, add bone substitute and place the implant the same day. It takes 30–45 minutes.
- Open sinus lift, if less than 4–5 mm of bone remains: through a small window in the side wall of the jaw I lift the sinus membrane, fill the space with bone-substitute granules and cover it with a resorbable membrane. It takes 45–90 minutes. With at least 4–5 mm of bone available I place the implant at the same time, otherwise after 6–9 months.
- Anaesthesia. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, with sedation if you wish. You go home the same day.
- Check-up after 7–10 days with suture removal, control scan after 4–6 months.
- Implant and crown. We make the crown after 4–6 months with simultaneous placement, or after the graft plus another 3–4 months of osseointegration; in two stages, 9–12 months pass before the finished tooth.
Price
| Service | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Sinus lift / bone grafting | 250–800 € | closed or open sinus lift or ridge augmentation, bone substitute and membrane, anaesthesia, check-up and suture removal |
| 3D CBCT | 80 € | three-dimensional scan for planning and follow-up |
| Sweden & Martina dental implant | from 650 € | implant including surgical placement |
| Crown on implant | 250–390 € | abutment and ceramic crown |
We prepare the written treatment plan with the final price at the first visit (50 € with a panoramic X-ray, 80 € with 3D CBCT). Because a sinus lift is almost always followed by an implant and a crown, the total exceeds 1,000 €; at that level interest-free instalments via Leanpay over up to 24 months are available. The Slovenian public insurer ZZZS does not cover implants or bone grafting. Part of the cost can be claimed as a special tax relief in Slovenia; check the current rules of the tax authority FURS. More in our article on financing.
After the procedure
- Cheek swelling peaks on the second and third day and settles within a week; bruising is not unusual. Pain is mild and well controlled with ibuprofen or paracetamol.
- For two weeks do not blow your nose, sneeze with your mouth open, do not drink through a straw, do not smoke, and avoid flying, diving and exertion, because all of these raise the pressure in the sinus.
- Take the antibiotic and nasal drops as instructed; for the first days eat soft food and clean the area with a soft brush.
- Over the following months the graft remodels into your own bone; according to the literature and my experience, implants in it last as long as those in native bone.
- Come once a year for a check-up with a panoramic X-ray and cleaning; this is also a condition of the implant warranty.
Why Koderman
- I take a 3D CBCT scan before every sinus lift; without an exact measurement of bone and membrane I do not plan this procedure.
- I perform both techniques and always choose the less invasive one that still gives a predictable result.
- I place Sweden & Martina implants with the manufacturer's lifetime warranty on the implant body; if an implant fails to integrate within 6 months, I place a new one free of charge.
- Diagnostics, grafting, implant and crown come from one provider.
- No waiting lists, an appointment usually within 7–14 days; we speak Slovenian, German, English and Croatian. Ptuj is 25 minutes from Maribor, 20 minutes from the Croatian border and about 1 hour from Graz.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sinus lift cost?
250 to 800 €, depending on the technique and the amount of substitute. The implant (from 650 €) and the crown (250–390 €) are separate items, so for one tooth in the upper back region expect 1,150–1,850 € in total.
Does a sinus lift hurt?
Not during the procedure; you feel only pressure and vibration. Afterwards the swelling is the main nuisance; the pain responds well to ordinary painkillers.
What happens if the sinus membrane tears?
Perforation is the most common complication and occurs in roughly one in ten open sinus lifts. A small tear I cover with a membrane and complete the procedure; with a larger one I stop, wait 2–3 months and repeat it. Sinus infection after the procedure is rare and is treated with an antibiotic.
Can I get an implant without a sinus lift?
Sometimes. Short implants (6–8 mm) are enough if there is at least 5–6 mm of bone; in an edentulous jaw, tilted implants in the All-on-4 concept bypass the sinus, and with severe bone loss a subperiosteal implant is an option.
How long until I get my tooth?
With a closed sinus lift and simultaneous implant, 4–6 months; with an open sinus lift in two stages, 9–12 months. In the meantime you can wear a temporary so the gap is not visible.
Is it covered by insurance?
The Slovenian ZZZS covers neither bone grafting nor implants. Some supplementary or foreign insurers reimburse part of the cost; we give you the invoice and report for the claim.
