Implant is the best alternative option nowadays for missing tooth replacement. Lack of bone height poses a significant difficulty for its placement. Bone augmentation is an option to counter this problem. In maxilla, to treat this local physiological as well as anatomical limitation, maxillary sinus floor elevation has become an important pre-placement procedure. Various methodologies have evolved to increase the thickness of maxillary sinus floor. One of the techniques involve simple and minimal elevation of maxillary sinus membrane, Schneiderian membrane, while other include placement of various type of grafts including allografts, autografts, bone morphogenetic proteins, and hydroxyapatite crystals. This review deals with the bone substitutes used in sinus lift.
