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Can you fly following dental implant surgery?
Dental implant technology has advanced to such a great degree that now patients can perfect their smile in no time. Dental implants are great for patients who are on the go, because depending on certain circumstances, implants can be placed in as little as one dental visit. While this can be great for those who are always on the move, for frequent fliers, dental implants could alter travel plans. Find out more about how dental implants could affect your flying habits.
Dental implants are a safe and effective way to replace broken, damaged, decaying or missing teeth for naturally beautiful results. Some implants are straightforward and can be placed quickly and easily, while others may involve multiple procedures in order to see results. The two most common procedures that are needed before dental implantation can occur are bone grafting and sinus lifts.
Bone Graft: There are several criteria patients must meet in order to be considered candidates for dental implants, one of which is a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw for dental implantation. Some patients do not have enough bone to be considered an ideal candidate, therefore they can undergo bone grafting procedures in order to add bone to the treatment area.
Sinus Lift: The sinus lift or sinus lift graft procedure is a relatively common form of oral plastic surgery that is designed to increase the height of the maxillary bone so that further reconstructive work, such as dental implants can be done. In some instances, the bone grafting will require a sinus lift because of its proximity to the maxillary sinuses, which are located behind the cheekbones and run from under the eyes to the area just above the upper back teeth. The lift procedure involves lifting the membrane that lines the sinus and raising it to the desired level.
When it comes to flying after dental implantation treatments, dentists and specialist alike recommend against flying only after a sinus lift procedure has been performed. A sudden decompression event while flying could have a negative effect right after sinus surgery. Dentists and specialists recommend waiting at least two weeks to fly after a sinus lift procedure. For all other dental procedures, including dental implantation, it is safe to fly immediately following treatment.