Sinus Issues and Dental Implants in Plano, Texas

Sinus Issues and Dental Implants in Plano, Texas

For the most part, dental implants can go without a hitch. Not only do they have a high success rate, but it is far easier to put a tooth in than it is to yank it out. However, that does not mean that there are no overall obstacles or issues that are involved with the procedure. Accidents happen and situations can occur if you and your dental implant surgeon is not adequately prepared.

One of the harder locations to put an implant is the upper jaw, thanks to various factors. This does beg the question: What do dental surgeons and patients need to go over before starting the implant? What makes up the upper jaw? Why is it more difficult than the lower jaw? Let's find out.

The Anatomy of the Upper Jaw

Have you ever heard the expression, "No man's an island?" It addresses the misconception that while a person can claim that they were a product of their own success. But it isn't true. It takes a community along with strong interpersonal connections to help a human learn to succeed in the world. The same principle applies with body parts. All too often, we compartmentalize each part and what they play. So much so, that we forget it is part of a larger system.

In the case of the upper jaw, it has a close anatomical connection to your sinuses. There is a thin amount of bone that rests between your upper jaw and maxillary sinus. A giant hole that exists behind 2/3rds of your nose and underneath the eye socket. So, if the implant is improperly placed, or is simply longer than the width of the bone, then there is a strong chance of sinus damage.

Just how thin is that bone?

According to the Medical Science Monitor, an international scientific publication, "The thinnest point of the maxillary buccal bone was 2.11 mm for women, and 2.02 mm for men, at the buccal roots of the maxillary first premolar teeth. The greatest thickness of the maxillary bone was 9.87 mm in women, and 10.71 mm in men, at the platatial roots of the maxillary first molar teeth."

To put that in perspective, 10 mm is less than half an inch. If you add on the fact that the patient might have injured that area or that the bone might have been worn down from gum disease, that is a very small window for error.

How To Repair the Upper Jaw

So, if there is little space for an implant in the upper jaw, what can a dental surgeon do to tip the odds in their favor? Is there any way to create padding for the maxillary bone? Thankfully there is in the form of a "sinus lift." According to Colgate.com, "A sinus lift is surgery that adds bone to your upper jaw in the area of your molars and premolars. The bone is added between your jaw and the maxillary sinuses, which are on either side of your nose. To make room for the bone, the surgeon has to lift the sinus membrane."

This is good news!

Just because your surgery is on a location that is more delicate in comparison to other parts of the jaw, doesn't mean that it is an impossible feat. It just might need a little bit of strategy in the part of the implant surgeon.

But what if something goes wrong? Is the worst case scenario very dangerous? Can your sinuses function normally after a surgical implant error?

Sinus Side Effects

For the most part, the side effects of a tooth implant gone wrong isn’t all that deadly. The worst that most people have ever heard about dental implants in Plano, Texas, or anywhere else in the world, is a change in nasal airflow, or the risk of an infection. A good dental surgeon will not only address some of the issues beforehand but will correct it after giving the bone an initial examination via x-ray. The most important thing that both a patient and surgeon can do is communicate with one another honestly about the condition you are handling. This will not only handle the side effects you are experiencing, but it will also allow both parties to suffer the least amount from the casualty.

While there is a possibility of some types of dental implants being harder to focus on, there is no need to panic about getting dental implants.

If you are thinking about getting dental implants in Plano, Texas, feel free to visit us at www.jungimplantplano.com