<p>My DH just finished having 4 teeth extracted and will be undergoing sinus flap and bone grafting before he has dental implants. The surgeon advised to do both sides (upper left and right) sinus flaps at the same time.</p>
<p>It seems to me that doing both sides might be ill advised because he will be sore on both sides and unable to eat because he will not have a “good side.”</p>
<p>Anyone who has undergone this procedure, please advise as well as give any suggestions about how best to get through it. How painful is the recovery, how long until you are able to eat on that side and anything else that you can offer is much appreciated.</p>
<p>I have been going through this all summer, albeit with just one tooth. I had a sinus perforation after my extraction which then became infected – that was just wonderful (sarcasm), as I had to stick a syringe up through my own socket to flush the sinus while it was healing. Had the flap and bone graft done in the beginning of August – now it has healed nicely. I can’t imagine having it done on both sides since I did all my chewing on my good side. My D, however, has a friend, a young friend, who had four teeth that had remained baby teeth – she needed to have those pulled and needs implants. She got all four done. Had to live on yogurt and apple sauce for awhile. I will say the site of my surgery felt better after about a week, week and a half. Best of luck to your husband! I won’t be reevaluated to see if I am ready for the implant for another two months – quite the process!</p>
<p>IMHO - NO! I was supposed to have a sinus lift and I got a second opinion. My new doctor was able to put in two shorter wider implants at a slightly different angle and NO sinus lift. I have had sinus issues for a long time, and the thought of breaking the lower bone in the sinus (that’s what a sinus lift is) is horrific.</p>
<p>Please get a second opinion. Even if he doesn’t have sinus issues now, they can easily be created. If you are near NYC, I know a good implant surgeon…</p>
<p>(and recommending both sides at once is a bad idea also)</p>
<p>A sinus flap is not the same as a sinus lift. A sinus flap is bringing tissue over from the cheek to heal a hole left over from the extraction. Perforations in the sinus are very common when upper teeth are extracted. Unless the OP meant a sinus lift . . .? And as for eating, he will be on soft, liquidy things for a week, week and a half. The doctor probably thinks your husband would prefer getting it all done at once. Maybe just express your desire to do it at two different times? It will prolong the whole process.</p>
<p>I had two teeth on one side (upper) and one tooth on the other (also upper) done at the same time with bone grafts. I was apprehensive, and chewing food was a more conscious effort than in the past, but it all worked out fine. </p>
<p>I had a single tooth implant done 25 years ago, in the early days, and that hurt like a monster and I was on serious pain meds for days. This time, I took Advil for a couple of days after the extractions, iced using frozen yogurt (I insist on a silver lining to every cloud), and that’s that. </p>
<p>DH has been through this A LOT. And last week he had posts put in simultaneously on opposite sides of his mouth (and one upper, one lower). I assumed he’d be miserable and unable to eat. He was out at a coworkers goodbye luncheon later that day! And yes, he ate.</p>