Sinus Lift and Bone Graft in Turkey: Healing and Follow-Up in Brussels

Medically reviewed by Dr. Öznur Yedek, MSc — D-Care Turkey, Side / Antalya. Last updated: October 2026.

Questions about a sinus lift or bone graft? Message us on WhatsApp: +90 537 264 78 42

Many patients from Brussels and Wallonia who plan dental implants in Turkey hear the same news at the 3D scan stage: there is not quite enough bone in the upper back jaw to hold an implant safely. The answer is often a sinus lift or a bone graft. It is a well-established procedure, but it adds something many people worry about: several months of healing between treatment steps, with most of that time spent at home in Belgium.

This guide explains why a graft may be needed, what happens in Side, how to look after the area in the first weeks, which warning signs matter, and how D-Care Belgium, our clinic in Ixelles, Brussels, follows your healing so you are never left on your own between trips.

Why some patients need a sinus lift or bone graft

The jawbone needs the stimulation of tooth roots. When teeth have been missing for a long time, the bone slowly shrinks in height and width. In the upper jaw, the maxillary sinus (an air space above the back teeth) can also extend downwards, leaving only a thin layer of bone. Common reasons include:

• Teeth lost or extracted many years ago

• Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) that has destroyed supporting bone

• Infections or cysts around old teeth or failed root canals

• A naturally low sinus floor in the upper molar region

A graft is not automatic. Depending on your anatomy, alternatives such as shorter or angled implants, or an All-on-4 / All-on-6 plan, may avoid grafting altogether. The final treatment decision is always made after a clinical examination and 3D imaging (CBCT), never from photos alone.

What happens during the procedure in Side

At our clinic in Side / Manavgat, the surgical team plans every step on your scans before the appointment:

• Planning: CBCT imaging and digital impressions with our intraoral scanner show exactly how much bone is available and where.

• Sinus lift: the sinus membrane is gently lifted and graft material is placed underneath, either through a small side window (lateral approach) or through the implant site itself (crestal approach) when only a little extra height is needed.

• Bone graft: where the ridge is too narrow, graft material and often a protective membrane are placed to rebuild volume.

• Comfort: procedures are done under local anaesthesia. For more extensive surgery, such as multiple implants or All-on-4 / All-on-6, conscious sedation is provided by an anaesthesiologist.

• Timing: in some cases the implant is placed in the same session; in others the graft heals first and the implant follows on a later visit.

The first two weeks: aftercare rules that protect the graft

The graft is most vulnerable in the first days. You will receive written instructions; the usual principles are:

• Do not blow your nose for about two weeks; sneeze with your mouth open to avoid pressure on the sinus.

• Avoid straws, smoking and vaping, which create suction and slow healing.

• Eat soft, lukewarm food and chew on the other side.

• Take prescribed medication exactly as directed, including the full course of any antibiotic.

• Sleep with your head slightly raised and use cold compresses on the first day.

• Skip intense sport, saunas and very hot baths for the first days.

• Ask your surgeon before booking your return flight: cabin pressure changes matter after sinus surgery, and timing is decided individually.

Warning signs that need a check

Some swelling, bruising and mild discomfort in the first days are normal. Contact us promptly if you notice:

• Swelling or pain that increases after day three instead of settling

• Fever, a bad taste or discharge from the wound

• Bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure on a gauze

• Small grains of graft material coming from the mouth or the nose

• One-sided nasal congestion, sinus pressure or a foul-smelling nasal discharge

• Stitches opening or a visible membrane

Send a photo and a short description on WhatsApp. Our team in Side and in Brussels will tell you whether you need an appointment in Ixelles straight away. Do not wait for your next trip to Turkey.

The healing months: your follow-up in Ixelles, Brussels

Grafted bone needs time to mature, often around four to nine months depending on the technique, the size of the graft and your general health. Your surgeon gives you a personal timeline. This is exactly the period where D-Care Belgium makes the difference:

• Wound and stitch check after you return to Belgium

• Clinical follow-up visits in Ixelles to confirm the area is healing well

• Direct coordination with Dr. Öznur Yedek and the surgical team in Side, who receive your findings and photos

• Adjustment of temporary teeth so they do not press on the healing site

• Planning the next step: when the bone is ready, the necessary imaging is arranged before you book your return trip

You keep one treatment plan and one team, whether you are in Side or in Brussels.

Returning to Turkey for implants or final teeth

Once healing is confirmed, we plan your next visit around your schedule. Our partner TÜRSAB-licensed agency organises transfers between the airport, the clinic and our partner hotels, Side Moon Palace and Side Amour Hotel. Final restorations, such as zirconia crowns or a fixed bridge on a titanium bar for All-on-4 / All-on-6, are designed with our prosthodontist after the implants have integrated.

Frequently asked questions

Is a sinus lift painful?

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, with sedation available for more extensive surgery. Discomfort and swelling in the following days are common and are managed with the medication you are prescribed.

Can I fly home after a sinus lift?

Yes, but not necessarily the next day. Because of cabin pressure, your surgeon decides when it is safe for you to fly, so we recommend keeping your return date flexible.

How long until implants can be placed?

Sometimes in the same session. When the graft must heal first, it usually takes several months. Your exact timeline depends on your examination and scans.

Can my check-ups be done in Brussels?

Yes. Follow-up visits take place at D-Care Belgium in Ixelles, Brussels, in coordination with our surgical team in Side.

Talk to our team

Planning implants or already healing from a graft? Write to us on WhatsApp: +90 537 264 78 42 — we will answer your questions and arrange a consultation in Ixelles or in Side.

D-Care Turkey — Sorgun, 8114 Sok. No:16/1, 07600 Manavgat / Antalya · D-Care Belgium — Ixelles, Brussels