When residual bone in the upper jaw is too thin or too short for a conventional implant, a sinus lift can make placement possible. We perform closed (transcrestal) and open (lateral-window) sinus lifts with xenograft or autologous bone material — and where the anatomy permits, in the same sitting as the implant. Bone grafting with PRP is used in other sites for ridge augmentation.
Less invasive. Often combined with implant placement in the same sitting. Suitable when only a small amount of additional bone height is needed (up to about 4 mm).
For substantial augmentation — 5 mm or more. A separate healing phase of four to six months precedes the implant. Xenograft (Bio-Oss) or autologous bone.
Ridge augmentation in non-sinus sites. Particulate xenograft with platelet-rich plasma to support volume regeneration before or alongside implant surgery.
When residual bone is severely deficient and grafting is not the preferred route, a zygomatic implant (anchored in the cheekbone) can be the alternative. Zygomatic implants →
A panoramic X-ray — which is what most UK practices take — underestimates posterior maxillary bone. The maxillary sinus floor obscures the picture. A CBCT (cone-beam CT) gives a true three-dimensional view of bone height and density.
Many patients told "you have not got enough bone" turn out, on CBCT, to have enough for a closed sinus lift in the same sitting as the implant. Some need a staged open sinus lift. A few — when the bone is genuinely deficient — are better served by a zygomatic implant. We tell you which category you fall into, in writing.
Surgical lead for sinus lift, bone graft and other oral surgery procedures at GC Clinic is Dr. Zerrin Engin Bakkal — Marmara University, practising since 1995, joined GC Clinic in 2024. Her clinical focus includes oral surgery (sinus lifting, bone grafting), surgical and flapless implant placement, aesthetic dentistry and comprehensive periodontics.
Dr. Zerrin Engin Bakkal →Geistlich · Switzerland · CE-marked
Harvested intra-orally · same patient
Platelet-rich plasma · autologous
Material choice is recorded on your treatment plan with the manufacturer and lot number for any biomaterial used. The certificate is filed with your records.
| Procedure | Tier | UK private (avg) | At GC Clinic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sinus lift (over All-on-4) | Standard · xenograft | £1,400–£2,400 | from £730 |
| Sinus lift (over All-on-4) | Premium | £1,800–£2,800 | from £1,343 |
| Sinus lift (over All-on-4) | VIP | £2,500–£3,500 | from £2,137 |
| Bone graft + PRP | Standard | £900–£1,500 | from £489 |
| Bone graft + PRP | Premium | £1,200–£2,000 | from £915 |
| Bone graft + PRP | VIP | £1,800–£2,800 | from £1,465 |
UK private fee ranges: published figures from a sample of London and Manchester private clinics, 2025. Augmentation pricing is per side; bilateral cases are quoted separately. Final figure depends on graft volume and any combined procedures (e.g. extraction).
Dr. Engin Bakkal reviews the imaging and tells you whether augmentation is indicated, which technique would suit your case, and whether placement can be combined or has to be staged. In writing, in under four hours.
