How Painful is a Sinus Lift?
One of the biggest concerns patients have about having a sinus lift procedure is uncertainty over how painful it will be. This concern is especially amplified among patients who have dental phobia, a very common condition where an individual’s anxiety and/or concern is so high at the thought of having a dental procedure done that they simply avoid scheduling the procedure. While it is understandable to have some anxiety about this or any other procedure, the unfortunate consequence is that people end up compromising their oral health and develop more serious issues as a result. The good news is that most patients experience little to only moderate discomfort following a sinus lift.
If you have been avoiding scheduling an appointment for a sinus lift due to concern about how painful it will be or because you have dental phobia, please be reassured that a local anesthetic will be administered first, which will ensure you do not experience any pain during the procedure. For additional support, there are also dental sedation options available that will help you become much more comfortable, the three most common being oral sedation and IV sedation. There are varying degrees of potency for each type of sedative, with mild to moderate sedation simply placing you in a more relaxed state, or heavy sedation, which may be administered intravenously and will result in you entering a sleep-like state throughout the procedure, and in many cases, result in you having no memory of the procedure even being performed.
Aftercare Following the Procedure
Once the procedure is complete, the effects of the local anesthetic and sedation may take some time to wear off. Once they do, you may begin to feel some discomfort. Here are some of the most common side effects following a sinus lift procedure and how to manage them.
- Infection: If you are prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take as prescribed until the prescription runs out in order to avoid infection.
- Pain/Discomfort: If prescribed pain medication, take as directed and do not consume alcohol or drive a vehicle. Common side effects of narcotics include nausea, lightheadedness, and dizziness. If pain medication is not prescribed and you are experiencing discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol can be taken.
- Swelling: Place an ice pack over the swollen area for fifteen-minute intervals, fifteen minutes on and fifteen minutes off. Continue as often as necessary until the swelling subsides.
- Bleeding: Mild bleeding can be managed using gauze pads, which should be replaced every thirty minutes until the bleeding stops. Wet and wring out the gauze so it is damp before placing over the area that is bleeding. Contact your periodontist if bleeding does not stop.
Additional steps you can take to avoid experiencing additional pain during this healing period is to follow a soft food diet, avoid touching the wound, and use a soft bristle toothbrush while cleaning your teeth. Although the healing process is different for everyone, the pain, discomfort and swelling should begin to dissipate within two or three days and be completely resolved within seven to ten days.
More on Sinus Lifts : Why Do I Need a Sinus Lift?