Length of the Dental Implant: Does it Matter?

Hypothetically speaking the length of an implant does not in any way relate to the length of the extracted tooth unless the implant is being placed at the time of extraction (immediate extraction site implant). In a case such as yours where after extraction bone is presumably filling in the extraction site, there is no reason why an 8mm or 10mm long implant would need to be considered. In reality all of the research shows it is the width, not length, of the implant that determines the strength or amount of bone surrounding the implant. If you have a history of chronic sinusitis than you would prefer to avoid sinus augmentation if possible. That said if the implant surgeon can stay 1mm from the sinus you would not have to be concerned with sinus issues. Having problems with dental surgery rarely equates to implant therapy. This is especially true if extraction and bone grafting are not simultaneously performed with implant placement. There is no pain whatsoever with drilling through all that bone and you would not be able to sense the difference of Drilling for an 8mm or 12mm long implant. The issue of virgin bone no longer applies as it is not an immediate extraction implant site and when you have your implant placed it will be placed into bone that is all virgin bone at that point!

I know this is a late reply, but felt like I might be able to help. I work at a dental lab creating surgical guides for implant placement. There may be several factors at play your Doctor may not have communicated with you, such as bone density, resorption, and crestal positioning. If this was immediate placement directly after an extraction, going beyond the most apical point of an extraction would be beneficial as engaging virgin bone helps prevent failure. Seeing as you have had three months for healing, which time can vary from person to person, your implant site should have adequate bone density. Again, the reasons your Doctor may want to place an 11 mm implant can be anything, even as simple as that is what they had on hand and just want to use up the implant. If you are still one mm away from the sinus, you should have little to nothing to worry about. That is a safe distance that many manufacturers and software platforms prescribe too. Seeing as you have a history of sinus issues, I would be concerned if it were any closer. So feel safe with that distance, but also find out exactly why they want to place that implant. It is your body, so asking some questions about what is going to happen to it is perfectly acceptable :) Best regards!