Abstract Objectives To compare volumetric bone changes after sinus augmentation for implant positioning using blocks of autogenous iliac bone or freeze-dried allogeneic bone (FDBA) from the hip. Variables were compared between the two sources and for each surgical procedure at set times (pre- and post-augmentation procedure). Patients and methods A non-randomized retrospective chart review of 7 patients who had autogenous and 7 allogeneic block grafts was carried out (1 procedure per patient). Analysis of Computer Tomographic (CT) data of maxillary sinuses, acquired with high-speed, double-detector CT scanner, was performed using dentascan software. The change between the preoperative ( T0 ) and postoperative volume was measured at 4–6 months ( T2 ) and 1.5 year after transplantation ( T3 ). Annual- and overall-rates of bone change were calculated for the two sources. Results All patients were partially edentulous with a residual maxillary floor thickness in the planned implant insertion sites of 2.7 (0.5) mm and 2.8 (0.5) mm for allogeneic and autogenous procedures respectively. From identical intraoperative volume of grafts (2.25 cc at T1 ), volumetric changes were recorded at T2 and T3 . The final volume of the grafts was 1.44 cc for allogeneic group and 1.78 cc for the autogenous group. Significant volumetric changes over time of transplanted grafts for both sources (23% for autograft and 18% for allograft) were found at T2 . At 1.5-years post-operatively comparisons of volumes and rates of bone loss between sources were not statistically significant. No failure was recorded for either bone grafts or dental implants. Conclusions Short-term sinus grafting procedure for dental implant placement performed with FDBA showed an outcome close to that reported for autogenous bone. Volumetric changes were comparable between the sources. These data suggest that performing maxillary sinus augmentation with dry-preserved bone allogeneic materials in block form could be considered even when the residual floor thickness is less than 3 mm.