A sinus lift creates the bone height your upper back implants need. Without it, those implants cannot go in safely.
The upper back jaw is the most common area where bone height is insufficient for implants. After molars are lost, the maxillary sinus expands downward and the bone shrinks from both directions, leaving too little bone to safely anchor an implant. A sinus lift raises the sinus membrane and packs bone graft material beneath it, rebuilding the height your implants require. It is one of the most performed pre-implant procedures worldwide and has a well-documented success rate above 95%.
Free, no-obligation — you pay the hospital directly with no markup.
A sinus lift increases bone height in the posterior upper jaw by gently elevating the sinus membrane and placing bone graft material in the space created beneath it. Over the following months, the graft integrates and new bone forms, creating sufficient depth for implant placement in an area where bone was previously inadequate.
The procedure is well established — first documented in the 1970s and refined continuously since. Two main approaches exist: a lateral window technique for cases needing significant height gain, and a less invasive crestal approach when only a few millimetres of additional bone are needed. The technique used depends on how much native bone height remains and how much needs to be added.
A sinus lift is typically part of a broader implant treatment plan. Having both procedures done in Thailand compounds the savings and streamlines the logistics.
Common
A Frequently Performed Procedure
Sinus lifts are bread-and-butter work at our partner clinics. High case volume means refined technique and predictable outcomes.
50–70%
Lower Cost Per Site
Sinus lifts in Thailand cost $800–$1,600 per side versus $2,000–$4,800 at home. Layer that over implant savings and the numbers add up.
Planned
Part of a Coordinated Treatment Plan
Your sinus lift and future implant visits are scheduled as one continuous plan. Your coordinator manages the timeline between trips.
Inclusive
Everything Covered in One Quote
Graft material, membrane, surgical fee, anaesthesia, imaging, and follow-ups — all bundled into a transparent price with no extras.
We do not charge for our service — you pay the clinic directly with no markup. Here is what sinus lifts cost in Thailand, what drives the price, and how it compares internationally.
Your Quote Will Include
Prices are approximate and vary by technique, surgeon, and hospital. Your personalised quote will include a full cost breakdown.
A sinus lift in Thailand typically costs $800–$1,600 per side. The crestal (closed) approach sits at the lower end, while a lateral window (open) sinus lift with a larger graft volume costs more. Bilateral sinus lifts — both sides in one session — run $1,600–$3,000 total.
The price covers the surgical fee, bone graft material, barrier membrane, local anaesthesia with sedation, CT scan, and all follow-up appointments during your stay. Post-operative medications are included. If an implant is placed simultaneously during a crestal approach, the implant fee is additional.
The technique is the main variable — a lateral window procedure takes longer and uses more graft material than a crestal approach. Bilateral treatment costs more than unilateral. The graft material type has a modest impact on price. If the sinus lift is combined with simultaneous implant placement, the implant cost is added separately.
Typical ranges at our partner clinics in Thailand:
Final pricing is confirmed after your consultation and CT scan.
A sinus lift costs $2,000–$4,800 per side in the US, A$2,250–A$4,400 in Australia, and £2,000–£4,000 in the UK. Thailand's $800–$1,600 per side represents a saving of 50–70%. When combined with implant treatment, the cumulative savings across grafting and placement add up to thousands of dollars.
The approach depends on how much native bone remains. More bone means a simpler procedure. Less bone means a more involved one.
A small window is opened in the side wall of the upper jaw. The sinus membrane is carefully lifted upward and bone graft material is packed beneath it. The window is sealed with a membrane and the tissue is sutured closed. This approach allows large volumes of bone to be added.
A less invasive technique where the sinus floor is accessed through the same hole drilled for the implant. The membrane is gently elevated with specialised instruments and a small volume of graft material is placed. The implant is inserted in the same session.
The two sinus lift techniques differ significantly in invasiveness, recovery, and the clinical situations they suit. Here is how they compare.
An incision exposes the lateral wall of the maxilla. A small bony window is created using a piezoelectric instrument or a round bur. The sinus membrane is elevated using specialised curettes. Graft material fills the space. A membrane covers the window and the tissue is sutured closed.
The implant osteotomy (the hole drilled for the implant) is extended to the sinus floor. A sinus osteotome or hydraulic lift technique gently pushes the floor upward along with the membrane. A small amount of graft material is introduced. The implant is placed in the same session.
When implants are needed on both sides of the upper jaw, both sinuses can be lifted in the same surgical session. This is common for patients planning full upper arch treatment. Both sides heal simultaneously, keeping the overall timeline efficient.
Moderate swelling on the side of the face near the surgical site. Pain medication and antibiotics are prescribed. Do not blow your nose, sneeze with your mouth closed, or use a straw — pressure changes can disturb the healing membrane. Eat soft foods and sleep with your head elevated.
Swelling begins to subside. Some nasal congestion is normal and resolves within a few days. Continue avoiding nose-blowing and strenuous activity. A follow-up appointment checks the surgical site and confirms you are healing well enough to travel home.
Gum tissue heals over the surgical site. Sutures dissolve or are removed. Nasal congestion resolves. Normal activities resume but avoid heavy exercise that increases sinus pressure for at least four weeks. The bone graft is beginning to integrate beneath the sinus membrane.
New bone has formed within the graft site. A follow-up CT scan confirms sufficient bone height and density for implant placement. Implants are placed during a second visit to Thailand. The lateral approach takes longer to heal than crestal — your dentist will set the timeline based on your scan.
Most patients can fly home 7–10 days after a sinus lift. Cabin pressure changes during flight are not a concern at this stage, but avoid excessive nose-blowing or Valsalva manoeuvres during the flight. If you experience any nasal congestion, use a decongestant spray as directed by your dentist.
Desk work can resume three to five days after surgery. Light walking is fine from day one. Avoid bending forward, heavy lifting, and any exercise that increases sinus pressure for at least three to four weeks. Swimming should wait until the surgical site is fully healed. The key is avoiding anything that raises pressure in the sinus cavity.
Crestal sinus lifts with simultaneous implant placement — the implant is already in. For lateral window cases, the graft needs four to nine months to mature. A follow-up CT scan confirms when the bone is dense enough for implant placement. Your coordinator schedules the implant visit based on the scan results.
Sinus lifts are among the most commonly performed bone augmentation procedures in implant dentistry. The technique has been refined over decades and the risks are well understood and manageable.
The most common complication — sinus membrane perforation — occurs in roughly 10–25% of lateral window cases and is manageable intra-operatively. Small tears are repaired with a collagen membrane. Larger perforations may require postponing the procedure. Your dentist will explain the specific risks related to your anatomy.
Yes. Sinus lifts are routine at our partner clinics and are performed by oral surgeons and periodontists with specific training in sinus augmentation. The procedure has decades of published evidence supporting its safety and efficacy. JCI-accredited facilities ensure the surgical environment meets international infection-control standards.
If you have a history of chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, or previous sinus surgery, disclose this during consultation — it affects planning. Avoid smoking before and after surgery. Follow post-operative instructions strictly, particularly regarding nose-blowing and pressure management. Complete the full course of antibiotics prescribed.
Small membrane perforations are common and manageable. The tear is patched with a collagen membrane and the procedure continues with adjusted technique. Large perforations — while rare — may require postponing the surgery to allow the membrane to heal before a second attempt. Your surgeon will make this call intra-operatively based on the size and location of the tear.
Sinus lifts require a steady hand, detailed anatomical knowledge, and experience with membrane management. Here is what our partners bring.
Our partners have on-site cone beam CT scanners, piezoelectric surgical instruments (for precise bone cutting without membrane damage), and dedicated surgical suites for grafting procedures. The imaging, surgery, and follow-up all happen in the same facility.
The oral surgeons and periodontists we work with perform sinus lifts as a routine part of their implant practice. They are experienced with both lateral and crestal approaches and know when each is appropriate. Many have training from European periodontology programmes where sinus augmentation is a core competency.
Your dentist will explain how the sinus lift fits into your overall implant timeline. If a crestal approach is possible, the implant goes in during the same session. If a lateral window is needed, the implant follows after four to nine months of healing. Your coordinator schedules the follow-up CT scan and implant visit as part of a single coordinated plan.
Like bone grafting, the sinus lift result is structural — rebuilt bone height that makes implant placement possible.
A successful sinus lift generates enough bone height between the jaw ridge and the sinus floor to safely anchor an implant — typically 8–12mm of usable bone. The grafted bone integrates with the native bone and functions identically for implant support. Confirmation comes from a follow-up CT scan showing adequate volume and density.
The sinus lift itself produces no visible cosmetic change — the result is entirely structural. The visible improvement comes when the implant and crown are placed in the augmented bone. What the sinus lift gives you is the ability to have implants in the upper back jaw where it was previously impossible. Success rates in the published literature consistently exceed 95%.
A sinus lift is usually the first step in an upper jaw implant treatment plan. Here is how the trip logistics work.
Plan 7–10 days for the sinus lift visit. Consultation and CT scan on day one. Surgery on day two or three. The remaining days cover recovery and a follow-up appointment. For crestal cases with simultaneous implant placement, the implant follow-up is included in the same stay.
Your coordinator handles scheduling, transfers, and follow-up coordination. The treatment quote covers graft material, membrane, surgical fee, anaesthesia, CT scan, and all in-Thailand follow-ups. Flights and accommodation are separate. The coordinator can recommend nearby hotels.
Visit one: sinus lift (and possibly crestal implant placement). Visit two: implant placement for lateral cases, or permanent crown fitting for crestal cases — typically four to nine months later. The timeline depends on which approach is used and how quickly the graft matures. Your coordinator tracks the schedule and arranges the second visit when your bone is ready.
Everything you need to know before your treatment
Patient Care Director
Last reviewed: March 25, 2026
Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional dental advice. Individual results, recovery times, and suitability vary. Always consult a qualified dentist before making decisions about treatment.
Speak with our care coordinators for a free, no-obligation consultation and personalised quote.
Speak to Our TeamTestimonials
From single implants to full-mouth restorations, patients share their experience.
Zero Cost, Zero Pressure
Tell us what you need and we'll match you with the right specialist and return real clinic quotes.
Get in Touch
Tell us what you're looking for and our care team will get back to you within 24 hours.
Loading your quote form...
