tooth implant -- sinus impact

[ARCOII]

I've had a couple of tooth implants that required breaking through the bone into a sinus cavity, and I want to know if that will impact my diving (now that it has healed over).

 

[Laurence Stein DDS]

Hey ARCOII,

Once healed properly, your implants should have no impact on diving.

Typically, when the sinus is entered, the surgeon does a sinus lift... he raised the membrane lining the sinus and places particles of bone or some other bone graft material under the membrane. Once that bone graft is healed, the implant is actually placed into bone.

Another variation is the raise a plug of bone through the site being drilled for the implant. Pushing on this plug raises the sinus membrane and like the first example, the implant is placed entirely within bone.

Finally, there are occasional times where the implant just "peeks" into the sinus. As long as the end of the implant stays beneath the sinus membrane, healing usually proceeds normally.

All this said, there is always the possibility of some sinus complication when placing dental implants within that space. They are rare and such complications have nothing to do with scuba diving.

A successfully healed implant with no complications should pose no "issues" to diving.

Enjoy your new teeth... show them to the sharks.

Laurence Stein, DDS

 

[tajkd]

Just had the implants done this year and I've done 6 dives since, one at about 100 feet. I was worried also at first but I've felt nothing at all. No problems. I hope the same for you.

 

[Denis smith]

I've had my first tooth extracted, I'm going to be faced with the pressure from my Dentist to get tooth implants. In fact there is such a push for these implants that you rarely hear about partials anymore. Implants are not cheap and start at $2000 per tooth. Dentists will offer payment plans just in hopes that patients opts for the implant.It's little bit paining but for a shorter time.

 

[WoodyLompoc]

I've had a couple of tooth implants that required breaking through the bone into a sinus cavity, and I want to know if that will impact my diving (now that it has healed over).

So how is your current situation? My wife is about to have zygomatic implants put in, which get into or close by the sinus cavity. Have you felt a difference in your ability to equalize? Thanks.