Expect pressure, not pain, followed by a fast recovery.
Dental implants can definitely be a wonderful way to beautify your smile. You deserve to be delighted at the thought of implant placement because it’s a significant step towards regaining your smile. However, being told that a sinus lift is needed first might cause apprehension among many patients. The image of a major operation, along with the concerns about pain are among the most common fears that patients have.
Imagine your jawbone as a house’s foundation. Without enough “soil”, building a strong house would not be possible. A sinus lift is like adding some “soil” to your upper jaw, which will then help you to secure an implant effectively. This procedure is something we do quite often at Lema Dental Clinic in Turkey. Building a strong foundation for your smile is what we do to ensure that you get a beautiful, lasting one.
A Sinus Lift Step-By-Step
It’s good to know what a sinus lift really is before we discuss pain issues. Sinuses are vacant, air-filled spaces situated just above the upper back teeth. When teeth are lost here, the bone gradually diminishes.
However, the main point is what happens during the actual surgery. First, the surgeon carefully raises the sinus membrane, which is the lining involved. It is very thin and delicate – similar to the thin skin that covers an eggshell. Next, the doctor puts the bone graft material underneath it. Professor Doctor Coşkun Yıldız always emphasizes that skillful, steady hands are the main factor in succeeding here. The graft serves as a scaffold. Your body will then do its part, and over time, it will generate natural bone.
Will I Be Hurting?
Most people go to extremes when thinking about what will happen to them. What actually comes out of their time and time again is: the fear pre-surgery is what you imagine would be the worst; the surgery itself is a piece of cake.
You won’t feel a thing with the numbing agents on board during the operation. It is possible that you will sense some pressure. Your ears may also be exposed to some unusual sounds. Yet you are not going to experience acute pain. Dentist Polen Akkılıç and the team make sure that your anesthetic perfectly fits your personal requirements. We aim to provide a calm and stress-free atmosphere for you.
How Long Does It Take To Fully Heal?
One may wonder what exactly happens once the anesthetic fades out? Healing that takes place at home is the instance where your participation is most important. You will be able to control your pain with the help of your medicines.
| Recovery Phase | What You Will Feel | Our Clinical Advice |
| Days 1–3 | Mild swelling, dull ache, stuffy nose. | Rest with your head up. Use ice packs. Take your medicine. |
| Days 4–7 | Swelling goes down. Minor bruising may show. | Switch to warm cloths. Do not blow your nose. |
| Weeks 2–4 | Soft gums feel healed. Life gets back to normal. | Eat soft foods. Skip the gym and heavy lifting. |
| Months 3–6 | No pain at all. The graft turns into solid bone. | Get follow-up X-rays to check your new bone. |
Expert Tips for a Fast Recovery
Based on our clinical experience, Lema Dental Clinic’s patients who adhere to these strict rules tend to heal at a faster pace. They also experience significantly less pain:
Sneeze with your mouth open: Unusual as it sounds, this prevents a sudden buildup of pressure that can cause the delicate “eggshell” sinus skin to tear.
Don’t use a straw: Drinking via a straw could result in pulling out the blood clot. This clot is essential for the healing process. Therefore, drink directly from a glass instead.
Hydrate yourself and get sufficient rest: Considerable amounts of energy will be required by your body to produce new bone. At the same time, get the sleep and water it wants.
Patient FAQs
Generally, I inform patients that 45 minutes should suffice for one side. The sinus lining is handled very gingerly. It will be over before you even realize it.
The best medical advice from me is to delay your flight for 3 to 5 days. Changes in air pressure on the plane can irritate your healing sinus. Here in Istanbul, we will want to see you to confirm that your healing is going well before you fly.
Blowing your nose is an absolute no. This can create a vacuum and be disastrous to the bone graft. Instead, I will provide you with a nasal spray to keep your nose clear.
Doing the procedure with just local anesthesia is the way most of our patients go. You will be conscious but very comfortable. There are ways to help you relax more if you have high anxiety, and we can talk about that.
You should probably anticipate some puffiness of your cheeks that will peak on day 3. This is a completely normal sign of blood being rushed for healing purposes. Keeping it under control with an ice pack for the first 48 hours after the surgery is a good idea.
- Boyne, P. J., & James, R. A. (1980). Grafting of the maxillary sinus floor with autogenous marrow and bone. Journal of Oral Surgery, 38(8), 613-616.
- Pjetursson, B. E., Tan, W. C., Zwahlen, M., & Lang, N. P. (2008). A systematic review of the success of sinus floor elevation and survival of implants inserted in combination with sinus floor elevation. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 35(8 Suppl), 216-240.
- Summers, R. B. (1994). A new concept in maxillary implant surgery: the osteotome technique. Compendium, 15(2), 152-158.
- Tarnow, D. P., Wallace, S. S., Froum, S. J., Rohrer, M. D., & Cho, S. C. (2000). Histologic and clinical comparison of bilateral macrophage-colony stimulating factor and anorganic bovine bone in sinus floor elevation. The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry, 20(2), 117-125.
- Wallace, S. S., & Froum, S. J. (2003). Effect of maxillary sinus augmentation on the survival of endosseous dental implants. A systematic review. Annals of Periodontology, 8(1), 328-343.
