NORTHERN COLORADO PERIODONTICS
SINUS LIFT
WHAT IS A SINUS LIFT?
Rebuild Your Upper Jawbone with a Sinus Lift
In order to help more patients experience the life-changing benefits of dental implants, the doctors at Northern Colorado Periodontics in Fort Collins and Greeley, CO, can increase bone mass in the upper jaw by performing a sinus lift. This procedure can create a firm foundation for your dental implants to prevent implant posts from penetrating the sinus cavity. Although the procedure will increase total treatment time, it is often an important step to ensure the success rate of your implant treatment. The doctors can perform a sinus lift procedure and dental implant placement at our state-of-the-art facility, streamlining your care and eliminating the need for an outside specialist.
BEFORE SINUS LIFT
AFTER SINUS LIFT
AFTER IMPLANT
What is a Sinus Lift?
Do You Need A Sinus Lift?
The upper jaw above the back molars is one of the more difficult areas to place dental implants, due to the small distance between your jawbone and sinus cavity. In order for dental implants to be successful, they need adequate jawbone to fuse with through osseointegration. However, losing the upper molars can immediately lead to tooth loss and sinus expansion. If patients wait too long to replace missing teeth in their upper jaw, a sinus lift can become necessary. During a sinus lift, the doctor will take grafted bone from a donor or another area of your body, and surgically insert it between the sinus membrane and jawbone to create healthy bone regrowth in the upper jaw.
YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE IF YOU HAVE:
- Gum Disease
- Failed Tooth Extractions
- Trauma Or Injury To The Jawbone
- Large Sinus Cavities Or Thin Sinus Walls
- Extended Period Of Tooth Loss
HOW SINUS LIFTS WORK
The Sinus Lift Procedure
ANESTHESIA & SEDATION
On the day of the procedure, your gums will be numbed to ensure comfort. For those who prefer deeper sedation, we offer oral and intravenous medication options.
GATHER TISSUE GRAFT
Dr. Shumaker, Allen, or Sands will then use a tissue graft from a donor or your own bone, such as the hip, chin, or tibia.This graft acts as a framework, promoting the growth of new, healthy bone where it is needed.
TISSUE GRAFT
INSERTION
In order to reach your sinus membrane, your doctor will make a small incision on the side of your gums where the bone loss has occurred. They will carefully create a space in the bone to gently lift the sinus membrane and insert the bone graft material.
SUTURES
Once the graft is in place, Dr. Shumaker, Allen , or Sands closes any incisions efficiently and affectively with dissolvable sutures. You are on your way to a brand new smile in no time! Feel free to call our office with any questions or concerns in the interim.
YOUR RECOVERY
What to Expect During Recovery
It is not uncommon to experience some swelling, bleeding, and soreness for the first week after the procedure. One of the doctors will provide you with prescription medications, saline spray, antibacterial mouthwash, and detailed at-home care instructions to follow to ensure the grafted material is not disturbed and you experience a smooth recovery. While you will only experience a couple of days of downtime, the overall recovery can take anywhere from four to nine months. Once the graft has fully healed, you can receive your dental implants to rebuild your smile.
FAQs
About
Sinus Lift
What is a sinus lift?
A sinus lift—also known as sinus augmentation—is a bone grafting procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw beneath the sinus cavity. This creates enough bone height and density to support dental implants. At NOCO Perio in Fort Collins and Greeley, CO, our periodontists use advanced 3D imaging to precisely plan the graft and ensure a safe, comfortable procedure.
Who needs a sinus lift?
You may need a sinus lift if you have bone loss in the upper back jaw due to missing teeth, gum disease, or natural bone thinning. It’s especially common before placing dental implants in the molar or premolar area. Our Fort Collins and Greeley teams evaluate your bone volume and sinus anatomy to determine whether a sinus lift is necessary.
How is a sinus lift performed?
During the procedure, a small opening is made in the upper jawbone to gently lift the sinus membrane, and bone graft material is placed beneath it. The area then heals over several months as new bone forms. At NOCO Perio in Fort Collins and Greeley, we use minimally invasive techniques and advanced grafting materials to ensure predictable results.
What is recovery like after a sinus lift?
Most patients experience mild swelling or pressure in the sinus area for a few days, which is manageable with medication and rest. You’ll be advised to avoid blowing your nose or heavy lifting during the early healing period. Our Fort Collins and Greeley offices provide detailed post-operative care and follow-up visits to monitor bone healing.
How much does a sinus lift cost?
The cost varies depending on the amount of bone needed, the grafting material used, and whether the procedure is performed with implant placement. At NOCO Perio, we provide a transparent estimate during your consultation in Fort Collins or Greeley. Some insurance plans may help cover sinus lifts when medically necessary, and financing is available through CareCredit and Cherry®.
