Can Dental Implant Cause Sinus Problems
If your dentist has confirmed that you might need an implant or you already have one you might be at a loss if this is the best decision for you mainly because implants can lead to sinus issues. While it is true that a dental implant can lead to a sinus issue, most of the dental implants are done successfully without any health risk to the sinus. However, there are instances where a tooth implant can lead to sinus issues.
Sinuses are the air spaces found in the hollow parts of our face bones. The cavities are often found under the eyes or around your nose. The ones under your nose might be very close to the upper jawbone. The upper back jaw is often a delicate area for dental implants because there are insufficient bone quantity and quality and because of the presence of the sinus cavity.
Instances When Implants Can Lead To Sinus Problems
It is possible for some tooth implants to affect the sinus cavity more so if your dentist made an error in the placement of a post. If this is not treated early enough, the implant can become loose leading to an infection.
In other cases, the upward part of a tooth implant can penetrate to the sinus area during placement. It might not have any complications in the long term. In case the dentist is concerned that there might not be enough bone on the lower part below the sinus, the dentist is expected to perform a sinus lift, which is a procedure that allows the dentist to add some bone in the sinus cavity to stabilize the implant.
Some dentists will choose to use a sinus augmentation procedure in case you need an implant on the upper teeth. It will see the dentist lift the existing bone into your sinus cavity to create additional space to accommodate a bone graft. If you wish to undergo the sinus augmentation process, a bone graft can take four to twelve months to develop fully. This time is necessary to ensure a successful implant that can last a lifetime.
In other cases when you lose your teeth, the sinuses might enlarge, or the bone where your tooth was positioned might break. In other cases, the advanced periodontal disease might lead to the insufficient bone for a dental implant. In such cases, a small bone layer will be left below the sinus. In fact, you need an implant in such an area; your dentist will be required to perform a sinus bone graft to ensure the availability of enough bone to secure your implant. It will involve the manipulation of the lining in your sinus and the packing of new bone below the sinuses.
In case your dentist does not perform this procedure in the instances mentioned earlier, the tooth implant might move up to the sinus leading to sinus problems such as a sinus infection. The condition can be detected using a CT scan or an X-Ray.
