The posterior maxillary segment is frequently devoid of bone volume to support dental implants because of the resorption of the alveolar ridge and pneumatisation of maxillary sinus. Such cases mandate the sinus lifting techniques prior to implant placement. Two main surgical approaches available and considered predictable so far are the lateral window technique and the crestal approach. Availability of various techniques, concepts and armamentarium, made the sinus lifting procedure versatile with high success rate. This article is aimed to describe the evolution of sinus lift techniques and to review the literature related to the technique considering the outcome of existing studies. An effort has been made to bring most of the available procedures under one classification for ease of understanding of the reader.