Thank you, Dr. Abu. I AM working with a University! It is the
University prof who wants me to get the referral. I am going to try to
talk to the prof personally and see if it might even be possible not
to get the sinus lift by doing only one implant there instead of
two... (see my new post on "Do I really need 2 implants...?"

I find it strange, too, that the ENT's and allergists just seem to
want to completely wash their hands of the idea of my getting a sinus
lift. They won't say it's a bad idea, nor will they say it's okay to
do it. One ENT said he really didn't see a problem with it, but did
not want to sign the paper saying that. The new ENT said he just felt
I should get my sinuses under better control - less inflamed - before
doing the surgery. That made sense to me, but getting them under
control (I've had this problem all my life) is not so easy... In any
case, he did not want to sign any "permission" either...

Honestly, a couple of these guys seemed to have no knowledge at all
about dental implants as related to sinus lifts, and to me that is
inexcusable. But like I say, maybe it's partly the Dental Schools'
problem for not cooperating with the Medical School (and vice versa)
to educate the ENT's about this.

JimSocal,

Ask your periodontist for a referral to an ENT and/or Allergist that he
works with regularly.  If he doesn't have one, then tell him that's an
opportunity for him to find an ENT and start working together for future
cases.  If not, maybe you can just sign a waiver/release regarding the
sinuses with your periodontist, so he won't "need" an ok?  Hard to believe
the ENT's won't at least call him to find out more!  I never bother with ENT
approvals simply because I do not think it necessary.  I just make the
"call" whether or not to do the surgery myself, but then, I have over 25
years experience performing oral surgery.

If all else fails, go to a major University setting (if you have the
available free time) and get it all done there.  UCLA is first choice if you
are in the SoCal area.

Also, sometimes I have seen "turf battles" between ENT's and Oral Surgeons,
and I hope thats not a factor here.

Good Luck,

Dr Abu

===============================================================

I was asked by my periodontist to get "permission" from an ENT or
allergist or my regular doctor to get implants and a sinus lift
because of my allergies having affected my maxillary sinus.

I first went to an ENT. He refused to sign off on it, told me I should
see an allergist.

I then called another ENT. That ENT refused to even "get involved"
with giving of permission for implants.

I then went to my doctor and he said I should see an ENT.

I went to yet another ENT and he refused to sign off on it, said I
should go to an allergist to get my allergies under control, first.

The (2nd) allergist said that I should just increase my meds until my
sinuses get less inflamed. But he said "I know nothing about sinus
lifts" or dental implants.

The point is, it seems to me that ENT's SHOULD KNOW something about
dental implants, especially the aspect of a lateral, crestal sinus
lift or other types of sinus lifts.

They should be aware of it so they can advise their patients on it.

Only ONE of the 5 doctors I went to knew ANYthing about sinus lifts
for implants.

Seems to me that the Periodontal Schools should start having a "share
information day" and teach doctors - especially ENT's - about sinus
lifts, just for their general knowledge, so they can give some kind of
advice or info to their patients who may need one...

Or am I completely off base here?
Maybe my oral surgeon is the wacko for thinking an ENT or an allergist
or doctor would give consent to a sinus lift?