Clinically reviewed by Dr Rizwan Mahmood, BDS MFDS MSc MBBS PgDip · GDC no. 191817 · Updated November 2026
A sinus lift adds bone to your upper back jaw, under the sinus, so there’s enough height to hold a dental implant. It’s also called sinus augmentation or a sinus graft. The new bone usually takes 3–6 months to mature, then your implant can be placed. From £499.
Your maxillary sinuses are air spaces just above the roots of your upper back teeth. When one of those teeth is lost, the bone underneath slowly shrinks and the sinus can drop into the space. That can leave too little bone to anchor an implant.
A sinus lift gently raises the thin lining of the sinus (the Schneiderian membrane) and places bone graft material in the space underneath. Over the following months, your body turns that graft into solid bone, giving the implant a stable foundation.
You may need one if you’re having an implant in the upper jaw, toward the back of the mouth, and your 3D scan shows there isn’t enough bone height under the sinus. It’s common if:
Not everyone with missing upper back teeth needs one. A 3D CBCT scan at your consultation shows exactly how much bone you have. Sometimes a shorter implant or angled implants, as in Smile in a Day (All-on-4), avoid the need altogether.
The graft material is usually a bone substitute, sometimes mixed with a little of your own bone. Read more about dental bone grafts.
The exact price depends on what’s needed for your case, and is confirmed in your treatment plan after your consultation and 3D scan.
The implant and crown are priced separately, from £2,500 per tooth. See our full pricing.
Most people need a few days to recover. Swelling, bruising and some discomfort are common and usually settle within a week. You may notice a little bleeding from the nose for a day or two.
To protect the graft while it heals:
Less commonly, the sinus lining can tear during the procedure (usually repaired at the time), an infection or sinusitis can develop, or the graft may not take and need redoing. Smoking raises these risks. We’ll talk you through your own risks at your consultation.
Sinus lifts are available at all four of our clinics.
Harrods, Knightsbridge
BDS, B(Med)Sc (Hons), MJDF RCS (Eng), PG Dip, PG Cert · GDC no. 244833
A sinus lift is a minor operation that adds bone under the sinus in your upper back jaw, so there’s enough bone to hold a dental implant. It’s also called sinus augmentation.
No. The bone is added inside the jaw, beneath the sinus, so the shape of your face doesn’t change. Any swelling in your cheek is temporary and usually settles within a week.
It’s done under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel pain during it, and IV sedation is available. Soreness and swelling for a few days afterwards are normal and usually managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
The area feels back to normal within one to two weeks. The graft itself usually takes 3–6 months to mature before an implant can be placed, unless the implant goes in at the same visit.
At Rüh Dental a sinus lift starts from £499, depending on what’s needed. Your exact price is confirmed after your 3D scan, and the implant and crown are priced separately, from £2,500.
Occasionally. A small number of people develop sinusitis or congestion afterwards, which is usually treated with medication. If you have ongoing sinus problems, we’ll check these before treatment.
Sometimes. If you have enough bone, or a shorter or angled implant can be used, a sinus lift may not be needed. Your 3D scan shows what’s possible.
A sinus lift is one type of bone graft, done specifically under the sinus. Bone can also be added elsewhere in the jaw; see dental bone grafts.
Read more about replacing missing or failing teeth.
At Rüh Dental, we do things differently. We call it the Rüh difference.
We believe in better than the traditional dentistry of yesteryear that’s left a legacy of fear and therefore neglect because of historic experiences.
Ruh Dental (Fleet Street) Limited (09473949), Ruh Dental (Notting Hill Gate) Limited (10288078) and Ruh Dental (Manchester) Limited (11669648) are registered in England. Registered office: 1st Floor Metropolitan House, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG.
