After Sinus Lift
SINUS PRECAUTIONS
Do not blow your nose. It is best to wipe away nasal secretions carefully. After 2 weeks, if you must blow your nose, blow gently through both side at the same time. Do not pinch your nose, do not blow just one side at a time.
Do not sneeze while holding your nose. If you must sneeze, keep your mouth open and do not pinch your nose closed.
Do not drink through a straw. Do not smoke for at least 7 days following your procedure.
Do not lift/ push anything weighting more than 20 pounds. You will want to avoid any heavy/strenuous activity for the next 48-72 hours following your surgery.
Avoid bending over. Keep your head above the level of you heart. Sleep with your head elevated.
PAIN/ SWELLING/ BLEEDING
You can expect some mild discomfort following this procedure. For the first 24 hours following your surgery, you should use an ice pack intermittently (30 minutes on/ 30 minutes off). This will help minimize swelling, bruising and some pain. Following this period, you should use heat (a hot, wet washcloth; hot water bottle; heating pad; or microwaveable pack). You can continue with the heat packs for 30 minutes, up to 5x a day as needed. It may take 5-7 days for the majority of the discomfort and swelling to disappear. If necessary, a prescription for pain medication and antibiotics will be provided at the time of your discharge. Please take all medications as prescribed. It is very important to complete your full dose of antibiotics. Do not stop taking them unless otherwise instructed. Some bleeding/ oozing is to be expected for the first 24 hours. Bleeding is usually minimized by the use of gauze packing and sutures. Depending on what sutures were used, they may dissolve after 10-14 days or they may have to be removed by the surgical team. Your care team will let you know which sutures were used. You will leave the office with gauze packing. Please keep it in place with firm pressure for 30-45 minutes. You may need to replace, as needed, for another 30-45 minutes if you have significant bleeding. If you can not get the bleeding under control, please contact our office at 814-946-5060.
ORAL HYGIENE
You should maintain normal oral hygiene following your appointment. You can brush your teeth with a soft or extra soft bristle brush, avoiding the treated area as best as you can. Avoid flossing or using an Oral Water Irrigation System (such as a Waterpik™) for a week. You will be prescribed an antiseptic mouth rinse and asked to use that twice daily for 2 weeks. Some temporary staining may occur at the visible tooth structure (crown) and this is normal while using some medications. Vigorous swishing should be avoided. Dryness and cracking of your lip and the corners of your mouth can sometimes occur. To help, you can apply Vaseline or a conditioning lip balm regularly.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Avoid excessive activity such as running, swimming, heavy lifting, intense house cleaning, contact sports, going up and down the stairs quickly, bending over, etc. All physical activity should be kept at a minimum for at least 2-3 days, as this can cause bleeding and/or dizziness. Excessive fatigue can also slow the healing process and increase the chance of an infection. A gradual increase back to normal activity is the most sensible approach. If you have any specific activities you wish to perform following your surgery, please discuss this with your doctor.
DIET/ HYDRATION
It is essential that your body receives adequate fluids and nourishment in order to promote healing. You will want to stick to cool liquids/solids for the first day. After the first 24 hours, you can resume a modified diet. Avoid sticky, hard, spicy, highly seasoned or acidic foods, as these may irritate the surgical area, causing some discomfort. Foods such as soups, soft cooked pasta, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, yogurt, milkshakes, pudding and jello are great alternatives. You should avoid alcoholic beverages and smoking for 7 days following your surgery.
BONE GRAFT
Extreme care should be exercised in avoiding your surgical site. You MUST avoid placing any biting force, no matter how light, on this site. If a removable prosthetic appliance was placed, it should not contact the tissue AT ALL. A temporary denture/ partial should only be worn on a limited basis through the day and should be taken out for at least 8 consecutive hours. Depending on what sutures were used, they may dissolve after 10-14 days or they may have to be removed by the surgical team. Your care team will let you know which sutures were used. It is normal to have some areas of the graft cover (white membrane) to become visible. You may experience some bone graft particulates coming out of the surgical site as well. This is normal, as we overfill the area to accommodate this.
WARNING SIGNS OF COMPLICATIONS
Swelling and discomfort are expected through the first 5-7 days after surgery. If any new onset pain or swelling is present after the first week, contact our office to determine if an infection is present. The following symptoms may be a signs of an infection or other complications; therefore, you should follow up immediately with your doctor if they occur.
Cheek Redness
Increased Swelling in Your Mouth, Cheek or Under Your Eye After 3 Days
Increased or Excessive Pain
Foul Odor from the Mouth
Discolored Oozing from the Surgical Site
Fever and/or Chills that are Persistent or Above 102℉
Bleeding Inside the Mouth that Won’t Stop When Applying Pressure with Gauze for 1 Hour at a Time, for A Period Over 2 Hours.
If you have any questions or problems, do not hesitate to call our office at 814-946-5060 at any time. Please note, if you are experiencing severe bleeding or difficulty breathing where you require immediate medical attention, please proceed to your nearest Emergency Department or Dial 9-1-1.