Approximately 20% of all patients needing dental implants will require that a sinus lift be performed prior to placement of the implant. This procedure is performed by separating the membrane from the maxillary sinus floor and pushing it up, then placing a bone graft, which will facilitate regrowth of bone, allowing for the needed support for the implant.
Thanks to the use of local anesthetics, you will not experience any pain while the sinus lift procedure is being performed. It may be recommended that the procedure be performed under intravenous anesthesia. If this is the case, you will likely not even remember having the sinus lift procedure performed. Patients who struggle with sitting still for long periods of time or who have dental anxiety will especially benefit from this level of sedation. If oral sedatives are used instead, you may be aware and awake while the procedure is happening, but will be in a much more relaxed state. The sinus lift procedure can take multiple hours to perform, so it is important that you are as comfortable as possible during this time. If you do experience any discomfort during the procedure, communicate this with your dentist or periodontist so they can administer additional anesthetic to ensure you do not experience any pain.
Once the procedure is complete and the effects of the sedation have worn off, you may begin to feel some discomfort. It is important to set aside time in advance to ensure that you can rest during this initial recovery period. During the next three to ten days, you will likely experience bruising, facial swelling, discomfort, and pain. Swelling and bruising can be managed by placing an ice pack over the swollen areas for ten to fifteen-minute intervals. If pain medication and/or antibiotics are prescribed, take as directed. If you are not prescribed pain medication and experiencing discomfort, take OTC medication as directed.
One of the most important aftercare instructions is that you must not blow your nose for the first four weeks following the procedure, or longer if indicated. It is also important to avoid sneezing if possible. If a sneeze cannot be helped, do so with your mouth open. Continue practicing good oral hygiene, but do not rinse or spit forcefully, as doing so can cause bleeding to occur. Brush the surgical areas gently and use a soft bristle toothbrush.
Everyone will have a slightly different experience during the healing process, so the most important thing is to practice common sense and listen to your body. Following these guidelines after your sinus lift procedure will help avoid complications and ensure a faster recovery process for your graft to regenerate enough bone. This process may take between three to five months, and when it is complete, a follow up appointment can be scheduled to place the dental implant. It may be possible to perform the sinus lift and dental implant procedure in one visit, but usually these procedures will need to happen over multiple visits.
If you have any additional questions or concerns about the pain involved in having a sinus lift, contact your dentist or periodontist to learn more about what sedation options are available.