AIM: To determine bone regeneration following sinus floor elevation (SFE) at sites with or without prior sinus membrane perforation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sinus membranes in the maxillary sinuses of 12 rabbits were intentionally perforated (≥ 5 mm) on one side, followed by application of a collagen matrix. SFE was performed on both sinuses after 8 weeks of healing, presenting two groups: SFE with a previous large sinus membrane perforation (group SFE_Perf), and in an intact sinus (group SFE). The animals were euthanized at 2 and 4 weeks after SFE. Micro-computed tomographic and histomorphometric analyses were performed. RESULTS: The amount of newly formed bone within the augmented area did not differ significantly between the two groups at 2 weeks and 4 weeks (4.7 ± 1.0 mm CONCLUSIONS: A large perforation of the sinus membrane followed by an 8-week healing period did not jeopardize new bone formation following SFE.