How Long Does a Sinus Lift Take to Heal?
The sinus lift procedure is just one of the treatments that may be recommended to prepare the oral cavity for dental implants. To ensure the long-term stability of dental implants, implant dentists must ensure that the oral tissues are healthy and stable, and they also must ensure that there is sufficient oral tissue to support and protect dental implants and implant restorations. For example, this may mean treating existing tooth decay or periodontal disease, and it may involve supplementing existing gum tissue and bone. One way that implant dentists supplement bone is with bone grafts. When bone needs to be grafted in the upper jaw, toward the back, the most commonly chosen procedure is the sinus lift, which allows dentists to replenish the bone at the base of the sinus cavity, reinforcing the bone with graft tissue and preserving the safety and integrity of the sinus cavity. While each person’s healing timeline will vary, it’s helpful to have a general idea of how long it can take for a sinus lift to heal when estimating the duration of a complete dental implant treatment.
The First Few Days:
Sinus lift procedures are performed with either local or general anesthetic, depending on the complexity of treatment and the needs of the patient. In the hours immediately following a sinus lift procedure, as this anesthetic wears off, patients can find relief from swelling and discomfort by using ice packs, applied externally to the face in 15-minute increments. If the surgical site is bleeding shortly after treatment, the patient should sit upright and apply pressure with clean gauze to help stop the bleeding. It’s important to wait until the anesthesia has completely worn off before eating, to prevent accidental injury of the oral tissues; once feeling has returned to the mouth, patients should eat a diet of soft foods and avoid sucking through a straw.
The First Week:
Some pain, bruising, and swelling are normal during the first week after a sinus lift procedure. Many patients find relief with over-the-counter pain medications, though prescription pain relief may also be provided. After the first 48 hours, patients should begin using an alcohol-free mouth rinse or warm saltwater to gently clean the mouth after eating. Aggressive motions like sucking or spitting should be avoided; instead, dentists recommend that patients allow any rinsing liquid to gently fall out of the mouth and into the sink. Generally, patients should avoid strenuous activity for the first week, though it’s usually okay to return to work within a day or two.
Weeks Two to Four:
Pain and swelling will diminish within about two weeks and should fully subside by week four. While the patient may seem fully healed at this point, the jaw itself should take far longer to fully heal – usually several months. Your doctor will provide specific aftercare instructions to help ensure your complete healing. It’s particularly important to continue avoiding sucking with a straw, smoking, or sneezing or blowing your nose too aggressively during the first four weeks, as any of these forceful motions could dislodge the graft. While patients can resume a more normal diet after the second week, they should avoid eating very crunchy or hard foods until their dentist says it’s okay.
After Week Four:
Patients should expect to see their dentist a couple of times during healing, both early on and after a few months. After the fourth week, refraining from smoking remains an important part of healing. You’ll be invited back for a follow-up appointment after about 4 to 6 months so that the dentist can assess the graft site and evaluate the bone in that area. At this appointment, your dentist will determine whether it’s time for dental implant treatment to continue and will continue monitoring bone growth until it is. The presence of sufficient healthy bone is integral to the success of dental implants, so no part of treatment should be rushed; these longer healing times allow for successful healing and help to guarantee the long-term satisfaction and comfort of implant restorations.