Sinus Lift in Stockholm – Bone Grafting Before Dental Implants
Sinus lift in Stockholm at Gloss & Floss Dental Care® in Södermalm is a surgical bone grafting procedure that may be needed when the upper back jaw does not have enough bone height for stable dental implants.
A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation, creates more vertical bone support beneath the maxillary sinus. The treatment is planned individually using clinical examination and imaging, with the goal of making implant placement safer, more predictable and better supported over time.
Have you been told there is not enough bone for an implant in the upper jaw?
We can assess whether a sinus lift, guided bone regeneration, a staged implant plan or an alternative tooth replacement option is most suitable for your situation.
Last updated: May 2026
Quick answer: what is a sinus lift?
A sinus lift is an implant-preparatory bone grafting procedure for the posterior upper jaw. It is used when the bone between the mouth and the sinus is too thin or too low to support a dental implant. The sinus membrane is carefully lifted, and bone graft material is placed to create better conditions for implant treatment.
The purpose is not to treat sinus disease. The purpose is to improve the bone foundation for implants. If your concern is sinus infection, sinus perforation after extraction, one-sided nasal symptoms or fluid passing between the mouth and nose, the more relevant page may be dental sinusitis and sinus perforation.
When is a sinus lift needed before dental implants?
A sinus lift may be recommended when one or more upper back teeth are missing and the remaining bone height is not enough for a stable implant. This is common after long-term tooth loss because the jawbone can shrink over time, while the sinus floor may sit close to the planned implant area.
| Situation | What it may mean | Possible next step |
|---|---|---|
| Missing molars or premolars in the upper jaw | The bone may have reduced after tooth loss, leaving limited vertical height for implants. | Implant assessment with imaging and bone-height analysis. |
| You have been told that there is “not enough bone” | The implant may need more biological support before it can be placed predictably. | Sinus lift, guided bone regeneration or an alternative implant strategy may be discussed. |
| Long time since tooth extraction | The jawbone may have resorbed, especially in the posterior upper jaw. | Assessment of bone volume and treatment timing. |
| Naturally low sinus floor | Some patients have less vertical space between the sinus and the mouth even without major bone loss. | Individual implant planning based on anatomy. |
| Previous infection, gum disease or bone loss | Local inflammation or previous dental disease may have affected the supporting bone. | Stabilisation of oral health before surgical planning. |
Sinus lift, bone grafting and implants: how the treatments connect
A sinus lift is one type of bone grafting, but it is not the same as every bone augmentation procedure. It is specifically focused on the upper back jaw where the sinus limits the available bone height.
| Treatment area | Main purpose | Best page to read next |
|---|---|---|
| Sinus lift | Increases bone height beneath the sinus in the posterior upper jaw before implant placement. | This page |
| Guided bone regeneration | Rebuilds or supports jawbone in broader implant-related bone defects. | Guided Bone Regeneration |
| Dental implants | Replaces missing teeth with implant-supported crowns, bridges or larger reconstructions. | Dental Implants |
| Oral surgery | Covers surgical procedures including implant surgery, bone grafting and complex extractions. | Oral Surgery & Dental Operations |
| Dental sinusitis / sinus perforation | Focuses on sinus-related complications, infections or communication between mouth and sinus. | Dental Sinusitis & Sinus Perforation |
How we assess whether you need a sinus lift
The decision is not made from a general rule. It is based on your anatomy, bone height, sinus position, oral health, implant goal, medical background and risk factors. At Gloss & Floss, the assessment may include a clinical examination, review of your dental and medical history, and appropriate dental imaging.
Clinical decision logic
The key question is not only “Can an implant be placed?” but “Can the implant be placed with enough biological support for a stable, long-term result?” A sinus lift may be part of the answer when the upper jawbone is too low beneath the sinus.
Types of sinus lift techniques
There are different surgical approaches, and the best option depends on how much bone is available and how much lift is needed. You do not need to choose the technique yourself; we explain the reasoning before treatment.
| Approach | When it may be used | Clinical objective |
|---|---|---|
| Internal / transcrestal sinus lift | Often considered when a smaller vertical lift is needed and some implant-supporting bone remains. | Lift the sinus floor through the implant site in a less extensive way. |
| Lateral window sinus lift | Often considered when more bone height is needed in the posterior upper jaw. | Create controlled access from the side of the jaw to lift the sinus membrane and place graft material. |
| Staged sinus lift | Used when the bone needs to heal before implant placement. | Build bone first, then place the implant after adequate healing. |
| Sinus lift with simultaneous implant placement | Possible in selected cases where initial implant stability can be achieved. | Combine grafting and implant placement in one surgical phase when conditions allow. |
Bone graft materials used in sinus lift planning
The graft material is selected based on your anatomy, the size of the defect, clinical safety, healing expectations and the overall implant plan. We explain the advantages and limitations before treatment, so you understand what is being used and why.
- Autograft: your own bone, often from a nearby jaw area when suitable.
- Allograft: processed human donor bone from regulated tissue sources.
- Xenograft: bovine-derived bone substitute commonly used in dental bone regeneration.
- Alloplast: fully synthetic bone substitute material.
In some cases, graft materials may be combined with membranes or other regenerative methods. When the defect is broader than the sinus area, guided bone regeneration may also be part of the treatment plan.
How the sinus lift procedure works step by step
The exact workflow depends on the chosen technique and whether implant placement can be done at the same visit. A typical treatment pathway includes the following steps:
- Assessment and planning: we evaluate bone height, sinus anatomy, missing teeth, gum health, medical history and implant goals.
- Imaging: digital imaging helps us understand the relationship between the sinus and the implant area.
- Clear treatment plan: you receive information about method, timeline, risks, alternatives and estimated cost before deciding.
- Local anaesthesia: the area is numbed so the procedure can be performed comfortably and safely.
- Surgical access: the surgeon creates controlled access to the area where the sinus lift is needed.
- Sinus membrane elevation: the sinus membrane is carefully lifted to create space for the graft.
- Bone graft placement: graft material is placed to support new bone formation.
- Implant timing: the implant is either placed at the same visit or after a healing phase, depending on stability and anatomy.
- Aftercare and follow-up: you receive instructions focused on healing, infection prevention and sinus-related precautions.
Comfort and dental anxiety
Most sinus lift procedures are performed with local anaesthesia. If you feel anxious or have previous negative dental experiences, we can discuss comfort strategies and, when suitable, sedation for relaxed dentistry.
Video: sinus lift before dental implants explained by Dr. Amir
In this short G&F video, Dr. Amir explains why a sinus lift may be needed before implant treatment, how the sinus floor is lifted and when an implant can sometimes be placed at the same time. The video is in Swedish, but it is clinically relevant for this English service page.
Video: Sinus lift / sinus augmentation before dental implants – Gloss & Floss Dental Care, Stockholm.
Healing time after sinus lift
Healing time varies depending on the amount of grafting, your biology, your oral health and whether the implant was placed at the same time. Many cases require several months before the implant can be placed or fully loaded, especially when bone formation needs to mature first.
| Phase | What usually happens | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| First days | Mild swelling, tenderness or pressure may occur. | Early aftercare reduces irritation and supports wound stability. |
| First weeks | Soft tissue healing continues, and symptoms should gradually improve. | Increasing pain, fever or worsening swelling should be assessed. |
| Bone integration phase | The graft gradually supports new bone formation. | This phase is essential for later implant stability. |
| Implant placement or restoration planning | Implant placement or the next prosthetic step is planned when conditions are suitable. | The timeline is customised to avoid overloading immature bone. |
Aftercare: what to avoid after sinus lift surgery
After sinus lift surgery, it is especially important to avoid pressure changes in the sinus area during the early healing phase. You will always receive individual aftercare instructions, but the following guidance is commonly relevant.
| Advice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Avoid forceful nose blowing | Pressure can disturb the surgical area and the lifted sinus membrane. |
| Sneeze with your mouth open if needed | This reduces pressure inside the sinus. |
| Avoid smoking during healing | Smoking can impair healing and increase complication risk. |
| Follow medication and rinse instructions carefully | Good aftercare supports healing and reduces inflammation risk. |
| Avoid heavy physical strain early after surgery | Strain may increase bleeding, swelling or discomfort. |
| Attend planned follow-up visits | Healing and implant readiness need to be monitored clinically. |
When should you contact the clinic after surgery?
Contact us promptly if you experience increasing pain, fever, worsening swelling, bleeding that does not settle, pus, a bad smell, persistent nose bleeding, or fluid/air passing between the mouth and nose. These signs should be assessed rather than ignored.
Are there alternatives to a sinus lift?
Sometimes, yes. The best alternative depends on your anatomy, expectations, oral health, bite, budget and how much bone is available. A sinus lift is not automatically the right answer for every patient with missing upper back teeth.
| Option | When it may be considered | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Shorter implants | When enough bone exists for a shorter implant design. | Not suitable for every bite, bone or prosthetic situation. |
| Angled implant planning | When implant position can be adapted to available bone. | Requires careful prosthetic and surgical planning. |
| Guided bone regeneration | When the defect is broader than vertical sinus-related bone height. | May still need to be combined with sinus lift in some cases. |
| Bridge or removable prosthesis | When implant surgery is not preferred or not clinically suitable. | Does not provide the same implant-based tooth replacement strategy. |
| Second opinion | When you have already received a complex implant or bone grafting plan elsewhere. | The recommendation still depends on imaging and clinical examination. |
If you are unsure whether your proposed treatment plan is the best route, you can also book a second opinion.
Sinus lift cost in Stockholm
The cost of a sinus lift depends on the extent of bone grafting, the chosen technique, graft material, imaging needs, whether implants are placed at the same time, and whether additional procedures are required. After assessment, you receive a clear written estimate before treatment starts.
For general fee guidance, you can also review our page about dental care prices. For sinus lift and implant-related surgery, an individual treatment plan is necessary before a reliable final cost can be provided.
Why choose Gloss & Floss for sinus lift in Stockholm?
Sinus lift treatment requires more than technical surgery. It requires careful diagnosis, realistic planning, risk awareness, good communication and follow-up. At Gloss & Floss Dental Care® in Södermalm, we focus on creating a clear treatment roadmap from first assessment to implant planning and maintenance.
| Implant-focused diagnosis | We assess whether bone grafting is truly needed before recommending surgery. |
| Digital imaging and planning | Imaging supports safer assessment of bone height, sinus anatomy and implant feasibility. |
| Clear explanation of options | You receive information about sinus lift, alternatives, timing, risks and expected healing. |
| Integrated surgical cluster | Sinus lift planning can be coordinated with implants, guided bone regeneration, oral surgery and second opinion needs. |
| Comfort-focused environment | Our calm Dental-SPA concept helps reduce stress while maintaining clinical precision. |
| Follow-up mindset | We support healing, maintenance and long-term implant stability rather than treating the surgery as an isolated event. |
Next step: book an implant and sinus lift assessment
If you are missing upper back teeth or have been told that you need bone grafting before implants, we can help you understand your options and plan the right next step.
Related treatments and pages
Frequently asked questions about sinus lift
How do I know if I need a sinus lift before dental implants?
You may need a sinus lift if the posterior upper jaw does not have enough vertical bone height for implant placement. This can only be confirmed through examination and imaging.
Is sinus lift the same as bone grafting?
A sinus lift is a specific type of bone grafting for the upper back jaw. General bone grafting or guided bone regeneration can be used in other parts of the jaw or for different bone defects.
Can a dental implant be placed at the same time as a sinus lift?
Sometimes. If there is enough remaining bone to achieve initial implant stability, the implant may be placed during the same procedure. If not, the sinus lift is usually performed first and the implant is placed after healing.
How long after a sinus lift can I get implants?
Many cases require several months of healing before implant placement. The exact timeline depends on graft size, bone quality, technique, healing response and whether the implant was placed at the same time.
Is sinus lift surgery painful?
The procedure is normally performed with local anaesthesia, so you should not feel pain during treatment. Mild soreness, swelling or pressure can occur afterward and is managed with aftercare instructions and suitable pain relief.
What are the risks of sinus lift surgery?
Possible risks include swelling, infection, bleeding, sinus membrane perforation, delayed healing or graft-related complications. Careful planning, sterile technique and correct aftercare reduce these risks.
What should I avoid after a sinus lift?
You should usually avoid forceful nose blowing, smoking, heavy physical strain and pressure changes during the early healing phase. You will receive individual instructions based on your procedure.
Can I sneeze after a sinus lift?
If you need to sneeze, it is usually recommended to sneeze with your mouth open to reduce pressure in the sinus area. Follow the specific advice given after your surgery.
Can I fly after sinus lift surgery?
Flying may need to be postponed for a period after sinus lift surgery depending on the extent of the procedure and your healing. Ask your dentist or surgeon before planning air travel soon after treatment.
Can smokers have a sinus lift?
Smoking can impair healing and increase the risk of complications. If you smoke, we will discuss risk reduction and strongly recommend avoiding smoking before and during the healing period.
What does a sinus lift cost in Stockholm?
The cost depends on case complexity, graft material, imaging needs, technique, implant timing and whether additional procedures are needed. A written estimate is provided after assessment.
Are there alternatives to a sinus lift?
In some cases, shorter implants, angled implant planning, guided bone regeneration, bridges or removable prosthetic options may be considered. The best option depends on your anatomy, oral health and treatment goals.
