Chronic sinusitis can mimic the signs and symptoms of a common cold or allergies, but persist longer and require specific treatment. Patients experiencing symptoms such as facial and head pressure, sore throats, coughs, congestion, and abnormal sinus drainage can experience serious complications that are disruptive, uncomfortable and prevent them from getting the dental treatment they need. However, these sinus infections can be treated. When non-surgical treatments don’t work, sinus surgery can help enlarge sinus openings, remove diseased tissues, and reroute the sinus pathways to lead people towards effective dental treatment.
Chronic Sinusitis and Toothaches
Your teeth and your sinuses have an intricate relationship with one another; any pressure present from the sinuses due to the backup of mucus and inflammation can cause sinus toothaches, which affect several teeth, including the back molars. All signs of a common allergy or infection are there, including the pressure around the eyes, the thick, discolored mucus, and sore throats. For those who experience the beginnings of sinusitis, traditional treatments, such as over-the-counter medicine, intake of vitamin C, and saline solutions, can help mitigate the pain. Sinusitis that lasts longer than 12 weeks indicates chronic sinusitis, and when medications for this condition don’t work, surgery can be recommended to help relieve pain.
However, chronic sinusitis can affect any prospective dental treatment; it can occur as a reaction to dental surgery, or occur beforehand, preventing the prospects of dental implant surgery. The inflammation caused by chronic sinusitis can impact implants’ success, causing an implant failure and total loss of the restoration. Dr. Jean Li can perform a sinus lift to help prevent this condition and help prepare patients for clinical implant treatment.
Sinus Lift Procedure
During your initial consultation with Dr. Li, she’ll examine your oral health, the condition of your teeth concerning your sinuses, and determine what bone graft procedures will be necessary before treating your sinuses. Dr. Li will perform your sinus lift with one of three options, using:
- Bone from your own body (Autogenous Bone)
- Bone from a Cadaver (Allogenic Bone)
- Bone from another species, such as cows (Xenograft Bone)
Once that bone is retrieved, she will perform the sinus lift surgery by raising the tissue, cutting into the bone, and fill the hole with bone graft material to lift the sinus cavities. Once the incision is closed, it will take approximately 4 to 12 months to completely heal. She will schedule a follow-up surgery within the first ten days to examine the surgical site and remove any stitches. Once the bone graft has fully solidified in the sinus cavity, Dr. Li can perform any dental work needed for implant placement.
For more information about your sinus lift procedure and other dental treatments, please contact Perio & Implant at Washington Metro today to schedule an appointment.