Clogged Blocked Sinus For Zygomatic Implants

This is a great educational image of a clogged sinus. The plan is for this patient to have zygomatic implants. The plan could also be for a sinus lift bone graft.

Regardless of the procedure the sinus on the left side of the picture is blocked. A clogged sinus is a recipe for disaster for zygomatic or sinus lift procedures!

When the sinus is clogged, there is no way for the natural clearing of the sinus to occur. Basically the drain hole of the sink is blocked.

If you get an infection there is no way to clear the infection. Besides resulting in graft or zygomatic implant failure this can also create a “hole” (fistula) between the sinus and mouth that doesn’t heal.

What does a clogged sinus look like?

A healthy sinus is pitch black on the xray. You can see the numerous channels of the nose.

The unhealthy sinus is grey.

How do you clear a blocked sinus?

The blocked sinus usually clears itself after removing the bad teeth in the upper molar area. If not, medications such as Flonase can help. Some do not clear and require a “FESS” procedure to open up the drainage system. FESS is done by an ENT physician not a dentist.

In order to see this you must have a scan that shows really high up near the eyes Many dentists do not have a scanner large enough to see appear and we’re not aware if this area is blocked.

If you already have implants and you’re having sinus pain this area should be evaluated. It is called the ostiomeatal complex.

I hope this helps somebody learn bit more about sinus relationships to implants

 

Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.

Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry

Fellow-American Academy of Implant Dentistry

Burbank, CA