Using md-sidenav without md-toolbar works fine. The sidenav opens correctly, as shown in the image below.
https://i.sstatic.net/PjsPp.png
However, when a toolbar is added before the sidenav or its containing section, opening the sidenav causes the page to scroll and the sidenav does not fill the entire height of the page, as it should. The height of the toolbar adds to the overall page height, causing the issue.
https://i.sstatic.net/ggpYX.png
Below is the main part of the code:
<div ng-controller="AppCtrl" layout="column" layout-fill>
<md-toolbar>
<div class="md-toolbar-tools" layout="row" style="background-color:crimson">
...
</div>
</md-toolbar>
<section layout="row" flex>
<md-sidenav class="md-sidenav-left md-whiteframe-z2" md-component-id="left" md-is-locked-open="$mdMedia('gt-md')">
...
</md-sidenav>
<md-content flex layout-padding>
...
</md-content>
<md-sidenav class="md-sidenav-right md-whiteframe-z2" md-component-id="right">
...
</md-sidenav>
</section>
</div>