Dental Implants And Sinus Lifts - How To Keep Stitches From Ripping

Posted on: 13 January 2015

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If you have a dental implants operation scheduled for one or several of your front teeth, then your surgeon may also need to complete a sinus lift. The lift allows the oral surgeon to place bone material in the lower part of your sinus cavity. This provides better bone mass, so the dental implant root can be secured better within the jaw. Cuts must be made to the sinus cavity to place the bone, and stitches secure the incision. These stitches must stay in place or the area may bleed uncontrollably. Infections can also occur.  

Resist the Urge to Sneeze

If you have a sinus augmentation surgery, then your oral surgeon will likely ask you to sneeze with your mouth open to reduce the pressure on your nasal passages. If you are unable to open your mouth quick enough, then air passes through your nose at 100 miles an hour.  This is more than enough stress and pressure to rip the stitches in your nasal passages.

If you feel the urge to sneeze, then gently pinch the front of your nose to reduce the sensation.  Also, consider purchasing some black cumin seeds from your local grocery story.  Place the seeds in a clean cloth and close the fabric over them.  Make a fist around the seeds to crush them.  Bring the cloth up to your nose and breathe in deeply if you need to sneeze.  Black cumin can reduce sinus congestion and sneezing caused by allergy problems.

Remove Home Dust

Dust is one of the most common irritants that causes you to sneeze.  This means you should rid your home of as much dust as possible before your dental implant and sinus lift surgery.  Consider adding a new air filter to your heating or air conditioning system so dust can be trapped before it blows through your vents.  The best air filters are disposable ones that are pleated.  The pleats in the filter create a static charge that actively attracts the debris to the filter material.  Also, filters that have a high minimum efficiency reporting value or MERV rating will trap the most dust.  Look for a filter with a rating between 9 and 16 for optimal effectiveness.

You also should vacuum your home thoroughly before your operation.  Consider using a canister vacuum when you clean, because these machines pick up more dust than bag machines.  Bag varieties become clogged with debris if you do not change the bag often. This greatly reduces air flow and suction and your home will remain dirty.

Control Inflammation

Your sinuses will be inflamed for several days after your implant operation. Inflammation is a normal bodily response, but prolonged swelling can place a good deal of stress on your stitches. This means that you need to control inflammation after the initial two day period. A good way to reduce inflammation is to make sure that mucus runs freely through your nose so bacteria, allergens, and other irritants can be flushed away from your stitches properly.

Thin Out Nasal Mucus

Drink plenty of water after your surgery to make sure your body is hydrated well enough to produce thin mucus. Most adults need between two and three liters of water a day. Consider drinking three or more liters, because your body will need the extra water during the healing process and this will reduce dehydration.

Essential oils can also be used to thin out nasal mucus effectively. The potent oils break down thick excretions and they encourage the flow of new mucus through the nose. Place one drop of eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, or lemon oil under each nostril. Do not blow your nose when mucus runs though. This can dislodge stitches and the bone that was grafted under the sinuses. Gently wipe away the excretions with a tissue instead.

Dental implants that are needed in the front of the mouth may need extra bone support. A sinus lift and a bone graft may then be required. The procedure requires the placement of stitches, and you need to make sure the stitches do not rip of dislodge.