Sinus Lift in Northwich
If you need dental implants in the upper jaw but have been told there is not enough bone, a sinus lift could be the solution. Carried out in-house at our Northwich practice by an MSc-qualified implant dentist.
Overview
A sinus lift is a bone grafting procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw beneath the maxillary sinus cavity, creating the bone height needed for dental implant placement in the upper back jaw. It is one of the most established preparatory procedures in implant dentistry and is particularly relevant for patients who have been told upper arch implants are not possible due to insufficient bone. At Brunner Court Dental & Implant Practice, 95 Witton Street, Northwich, CW9 5DR, sinus lift procedures are carried out entirely in-house by Dr Nikhil Oberai (GDC: 150126), an MSc-qualified implant dentist trained at the University of Manchester. Patients do not need to be referred elsewhere. Sinus lift treatment starts from £500, with finance available through Tabeo to spread the cost into manageable monthly payments. Free consultations are available. Call 01606 44394 or book online.
What is a sinus lift?
A sinus lift, also known as a sinus augmentation, is a surgical procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw in the area of the upper back teeth, creating the bone depth needed to place dental implants successfully.
The maxillary sinuses are the air-filled cavities that sit just above the upper back teeth on either side of the nose. In a healthy jaw with all teeth present, there is typically sufficient bone between the sinus floor and the top of the jaw to support an implant. When upper back teeth are lost, two things happen. The bone that supported those teeth begins to resorb. And the sinus cavity can gradually expand downward into the space the bone has vacated, reducing the available bone height to a level where implant placement is not possible without preparatory work.
A sinus lift addresses this by lifting the sinus membrane upward and packing bone graft material into the space created beneath it. As this graft material integrates over a healing period, new bone tissue forms, rebuilding the height needed for implants to be placed safely and with a strong long-term prognosis.
It is a well-established procedure with a high success rate, and at Brunner Court it is carried out entirely in-house. Patients do not need to be referred to a separate surgical centre.
Types of sinus lift procedure we offer
There are two main approaches to sinus lift surgery. The appropriate technique depends on the amount of bone currently present and the specific clinical requirements of your case.
Lateral Window Sinus Lift
The most established approach for cases where significant bone height needs to be created. A small opening is made in the side wall of the sinus cavity, the sinus membrane is carefully lifted and a substantial amount of graft material is packed into the space beneath it. Used where bone height is very limited and a significant volume of new bone needs to be generated before implant placement can proceed. Healing typically takes six to nine months before implants are placed.
From £700
Crestal Sinus Lift
A less invasive technique used where there is a moderate amount of bone present, typically at least five to six millimetres and only a small amount of additional height is needed. The sinus membrane is lifted from below through the implant site itself rather than through a separate window in the sinus wall. In some cases the implant can be placed at the same time as the crestal lift, reducing the overall treatment timeline.
From £500
Your clinician will assess the available bone height using a CBCT scan and recommend the most appropriate technique for your specific case.
Do I need a sinus lift before implants?
A sinus lift is specifically relevant to implant placement in the upper back jaw, the area of the upper premolars and molars. If you are having implants placed in the lower jaw or in the upper front teeth area, a sinus lift is not relevant to your treatment.
You may need a sinus lift if you:
- Are missing one or more upper back teeth and want implants in that area
- Have had those teeth missing for a significant period of time
- Have been told the bone in your upper jaw is too thin for implants
- Have been told your sinus cavity is too close to the top of the jaw for safe implant placement
You may not need a sinus lift if you:
- Have sufficient bone height confirmed on x-ray or CBCT scan
- Are having implants placed in the lower jaw
- Are having implants placed in the upper front teeth area
- Are having an implant placed shortly after extraction before significant bone loss has occurred
A CBCT scan taken in-house at your free consultation will give Dr Nikhil a precise picture of your bone height and sinus anatomy, the only reliable way to confirm whether a sinus lift is needed in your case.
What does sinus lift treatment involve?
Free consultation and CBCT scanning
Your first appointment is free of charge. Dr Nikhil will carry out a thorough clinical assessment and take a CBCT scan in-house to produce a precise three-dimensional image of your sinus anatomy, bone height and density. This is essential for accurate treatment planning and for determining which sinus lift technique is appropriate for your case. You will leave with a clear written treatment plan and full cost breakdown with no obligation to proceed.
Treatment planning
Using the CBCT data, Dr Nikhil plans the procedure in detail — the approach, the volume of graft material required and the optimal positioning for the eventual implants. Precise surgical planning at this stage is central to a successful outcome.
Sinus lift procedure
The sinus lift is carried out under local anaesthetic. For a lateral window lift, a small access point is created in the side of the sinus wall, the membrane is carefully elevated and graft material is placed into the space beneath it. For a crestal lift, the procedure is approached from below through the implant site. Sedation is available and used by many patients having sinus lift surgery.
Healing period
Following a lateral window sinus lift, a healing period of six to nine months is typically required for the graft to integrate and new bone to form. A crestal lift generally requires a shorter healing period. During this time you will be seen for review appointments to monitor progress.
Confirmation scan and implant planning
Once the healing period is complete, a further scan is taken to confirm that sufficient bone height has been achieved. If the graft has integrated successfully, implant placement planning begins immediately.
Implant placement
With the sinus floor raised and sufficient bone height now in place, the implants are placed as part of the standard implant treatment pathway. From this point the process follows the same stages as any other implant case at Brunner Court.
How much does a sinus lift cost in Northwich?
Treatment | Fee | Est. monthly (Tabeo) |
Implant consultation | Free | Free |
Crestal sinus lift | From £500 | Price on consultation |
Lateral window sinus lift | From £700 | Price on consultation |
Bone regeneration (if also required) | From £250 | Price on consultation |
Sedation (if required) | From £350 | Price on consultation |
Monthly figures are based on an interest-free finance plan through Tabeo. Your actual monthly payment depends on the total treatment cost and the repayment term you choose. Subject to status. Applicants must be over 18 with a source of income.
Your exact cost depends on the technique required, the extent of the procedure and whether additional bone grafting is also needed at the same site. A full written cost breakdown is provided at your free consultation before anything is agreed. Finance options are discussed at the same appointment so you have a clear picture of what combined sinus lift and implant treatment looks like across monthly payments before committing to anything.
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We see patients from across Northwich and Cheshire
Our Witton Street practice carries out sinus lift and complex implant procedures for patients from across the region, including Hartford, Weaverham, Leftwich, Davenham, Sandiway, Rudheath, Kingsmead and Lostock Gralam, as well as from further afield across Cheshire and the wider North West.
Many patients travel to Brunner Court specifically because sinus lift and bone grafting procedures are available in-house, without referral to a separate surgical centre. If you have been told that upper jaw implants are not possible, we would encourage you to come in for a second opinion.
Not sure where to begin? Give us a call.
Meet your Dental Implant Clinician
Sinus lift and bone augmentation procedures at Brunner Court are carried out by Dr Nikhil Oberai, a principal dentist holding an MSc in Implant Dentistry from the University of Manchester, one of the most respected implant programmes in the UK.
Dr Nikhil has extensive experience in advanced implant surgery including sinus lift procedures for patients with limited upper jaw bone height. He is an Honorary Clinical Teaching Fellow at the University of Manchester, a Key Opinion Leader for Osstem UK and lectures on implantology, including advanced surgical techniques, to dentists nationally. He has mentored implant clinicians through the Cambridge Implant Academy and the University of Manchester MSc programme.
With a 99.5% implant success rate and over a decade of dedicated implant practice, you are in experienced, capable hands.
GDC: 150126
Spread the cost of your implant treatment
Sinus lift and implant treatment together represent a significant investment and we want the cost to feel manageable. Through our finance partner Tabeo, you can spread the combined cost into monthly payments with interest-free options available. The online application takes under five minutes with an instant decision.
Many patients combine Tabeo finance for their surgical and implant treatment with a Denplan membership plan for their ongoing preventive care, covering everything from a single predictable monthly outlay.
We're Welcoming New Patients
Brunner Court is open to new patients and we mean that warmly, not just as a formality. Whether you haven’t visited a dentist in a long time, you’re nervous, you’ve just moved to Northwich, or you’re simply ready for a practice that takes you seriously, we’d love to hear from you.
Your first appointment includes a thorough review of your teeth, gums and overall oral health. We’ll talk through any concerns, explain your options and put together a treatment plan if needed.
Dental MOT — just £79
"Nik and the team were exceptional. I came in about a missing tooth and 12 months later I have two fantastic implants that look and feel like real teeth."
- FAQs
Frequently asked questions about sinus lift treatment in Northwich
A sinus lift is a bone grafting procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw beneath the maxillary sinus cavity. When upper back teeth are lost, the bone in that area resorbs and the sinus can expand downward, reducing the available bone height for implant placement. A sinus lift rebuilds this height by elevating the sinus floor and packing graft material into the space created. Once the graft has integrated and sufficient bone height is confirmed, implant placement can proceed.
A lateral window sinus lift typically requires a healing period of six to nine months before implant placement can proceed. A crestal sinus lift, used where less additional height is needed, generally involves a shorter healing period and in some cases the implant can be placed at the same time as the lift. Your clinician will give you a clear timeline at your free consultation based on your specific case.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and sedation is available and commonly used for sinus lift patients. Most patients report that the procedure itself is considerably more comfortable than they anticipated. Some swelling, tenderness and mild discomfort in the days following surgery is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Your clinical team will provide full aftercare instructions and remain on hand throughout your recovery.
A crestal sinus lift is a less invasive technique approached from below through the implant site, suitable where a moderate amount of bone is already present and only a small amount of additional height is needed. A lateral window sinus lift involves creating a small access point in the side wall of the sinus to allow a larger volume of graft material to be placed, used where bone height is very limited and more significant augmentation is required. Your clinician will recommend the appropriate technique based on your CBCT scan results.
A straightforward single implant typically takes three to six months from placement to final restoration, allowing for the healing period. More complex cases involving bone grafting or multiple implants may take longer. Same day implants are available for suitable candidates where a temporary restoration is placed on the day of surgery. Your clinician will give you a clear timeline at your free consultation.