For patients in South Africa

Sinus lift in Turkey from South Africa: what to plan for

A sinus lift adds bone to the upper back jaw so that implants can be placed where the bone is too shallow. For patients travelling from South Africa, the stay in Turkey is only a few days, but the healing time before implants can go in is long. This page explains what is involved, how long to stay and how to plan the second stage.

What a sinus lift does

Implants for the upper back teeth sit just below the maxillary sinus. When there is not enough bone height there, the dentist gently lifts the sinus membrane and places bone graft material underneath it. New bone forms in that space over the following months, giving an implant enough height to sit securely. The treatment is described on our sinus lift page.

Who needs one

Bone height in the upper jaw often reduces after teeth have been missing for a long time, after years of wearing dentures, or as the sinus naturally enlarges with time. A 3D scan shows whether there is enough height for an implant. If the bone loss is elsewhere in the jaw, a standard bone graft may be the relevant procedure instead.

The procedure and the first days

The sinus lift is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during treatment. For a few days afterwards, mild swelling, discomfort and a blocked nose are common and are usually well controlled with medication. For the period the dentist recommends, avoid:

• blowing your nose or sneezing forcefully
• smoking
• heavy lifting and strenuous exercise

These can interfere with healing, so it is worth planning a quiet first week at home as well as in Turkey.

How long the trip takes

Most patients return home within three to five days, once the dentist is satisfied that healing is going normally. Because the operation is close to the sinus, ask the dentist directly whether you are ready for the long flight, and keep your return ticket flexible.

The longer part comes afterwards. The graft typically needs four to nine months to integrate before implants can be placed, so unless the implant goes in at the same appointment, you will need a second trip. The dental implants guide for South Africans covers that stage.

• Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir, where treatment takes place
• Visa: South Africans apply for an e-Visa online before travelling; see the e-Visa guide
• Time difference: İzmir is only one hour ahead of South Africa, so follow-up calls are easy to arrange
• Records: take home your scans and a written note of the treatment and graft material for your dentist

Aftercare and guarantee

Follow-up continues by message and video call with the same team, and your dentist in South Africa can check the area between trips. Following the aftercare instructions and keeping good oral hygiene matter for both the graft and the implant that follows. What our treatment guarantee covers, and what it excludes, such as problems caused by smoking or not following aftercare, is set out on that page; covered treatment is carried out in İzmir at no charge, with flights and accommodation at your own cost. The board-certified dental team is listed on clinic facts, and our complaints process is published.

What we will not do

We will not carry out a sinus lift your scan shows you do not need, we will not place implants before the graft is ready simply to save a trip, and we will not clear you to fly before the dentist is satisfied with your healing.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to stay in Turkey for a sinus lift?

Most patients return home within three to five days, provided healing is going normally and the dentist is happy for you to travel.

Can the implant be placed at the same time as the sinus lift?

Sometimes. If there is enough existing bone to hold the implant steady, both can be done at the same appointment. If more bone needs to grow, the sinus lift is done first and the implant is placed after healing.

How long before implants can go in after a sinus lift?

Initial healing takes a couple of weeks, but the graft typically needs four to nine months to integrate before implants can be placed, depending on how much bone was added.

What should I avoid after a sinus lift?

Blowing your nose, forceful sneezing, smoking, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise, for as long as the dentist recommends. Ask the dentist specifically about the flight home before you leave.

Will my medical aid cover a sinus lift in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad. Ask both before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.