If you need a dental implant in the front and upper part of the mouth, then the implant root may be placed extremely close to your sinus cavities. In some cases this can lead to the development of a sinus infection. Keep reading to learn why this happens and what your dental professional will do to help you avoid future sinus issues.
Dental Implants and Sinus Problems
The jaw bone has a variable thickness across the entire structure of the jaw. This means it is thicker in some areas and thinner in others. When it comes to the upper jaw, the thinnest section is in the front where the nasal conchae and the maxillary sinuses are located. In this region, the dental implant roots used are short and thick. This prevents the root from invading the sinus space.
While precautions are taken, an implant can be forced into the sinus cavity. If an implant is accidentally forced into the cavity, this can cause some serious issues. You are likely to experience frequent sinus infections. You may also feel a great deal of pressure in the sinuses and the cavities can become compacted with mucus that does not drain properly. This leads to chronic pain that is difficult to control.
Implants can cause breathing problems if they impede on the sinus and nasal cavities. Specifically, this is due to a reduction in airflow through the structures and you may need to breathe through the mouth more often. This can lead to its own issues like a dry mouth.
How Are Sinus Problems Avoided?
Your oral surgeon can prevent sinus problems through a careful assessment before implantation. Assessments identify potential problems before they occur so additional procedures can be performed.
Angled Implant roots can be used and are a good choice if bone density is significant on the side of the jaw. Also, your dentist can complete a bone grafting procedure called a sinus lift. This procedure allows your dentist to place additional bone in the sinus cavity. This thickens the bone and keeps the root from popping through to the sinuses.
The bone graft is placed through the sinus cavity due to easy access to the bone. This is a separate operation that will occur months before your implant procedure. So, you should keep in mind that this will extend the time it takes to receive your implant. While this is true, it prevents a serious future sinus problem that can result in the need for implant removal.
Share26 March 2020
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