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Sinus Lift Post-Op Instructions

After any surgical procedure performed in the mouth, one can expect some bleeding, some swelling, some discomfort. Those occurrences will be minimized if these instructions are followed carefully. Sometimes the after effects of oral surgery are minimal, so not all instructions apply. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt, follow these guidelines or call our office anytime for clarification.

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After the procedure:

  • Bite on folded gauze for at least 30 minutes with firm steady pressure.  You will be given extra gauze to change out as necessary.  This will help to minimize bleeding.  If there is still active bleeding after 1 hour, you should continue to bite on gauze for another 30-60 min.  Please keep in mind that some mild oozing and blood-tinged saliva is normal for about 24 hours after the procedure.

  • You can expect a nose bleed for 1-2 days after the procedure

  • You should take your pain medication before the effects of the local anesthetic (lidocaine) wear off.  This will help with pain control.

  • You may apply ice packs to the outside of face over the surgical areas for the first 24 hours.  This can help with swelling and discomfort.  Alternate 20 minutes on and 10 minutes off.

  • Do not wear partials or dentures the day of the procedure unless specified by the doctor.  Special adjustments may need to be made to avoid damaging the implants.  

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Sinus precautions:  It is important to adhere to the following for 3 weeks after a sinus lift:

  • Do not blow your nose even if you feel stuffy

  • Do not do anything that creates pressure or suction in your mouth or nose

  • Do not smoke

  • Do not use straws, blow up balloons, play wind instruments or forcibly spit

  • Avoid swimming for 1 month

  • Sneeze with your mouth open

Diet:

  • You may begin eating after the gauze is removed.  Be sure you can swallow water easily before you try soft foods (ice cream, soup, mashed potatoes, jello, applesauce, pudding, milk shake, etc.)  

  • You should eat a soft diet with nothing hard or chewy for at least 24 hours after the procedure

  • You should avoid chewing in the area of the sinus lift for 2 weeks.

Beginning 24 hours after the procedure:

  • You should begin rinsing with the prescribed antibiotic mouth rinse (Peridex) the morning after your bone graft.

  • Brush teeth carefully avoiding the area of the graft (keeping your mouth clean helps prevent infection)

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For 7 days after the procedure:

  • You should eat a soft diet for 3-5 days after the procedure

  • You should avoid strenuous physical activity and sports for 7 days after the procedure

  • Do not smoke - smoking will cause your sinus lift to fail

  • Do not use commercial mouthwash

  • Do not use hydrogen peroxide

  • You may not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking narcotic (opiate) pain medication

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Brush your teeth:

  • You should brush your teeth as normal after surgery.  This will help keep your mouth clean and prevent infection.  Be careful brushing around surgical sites.

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What you can expect:

  • Slight bleeding from your nose is normal for 1-2 days- You can lean your head back and apply pressure to minimize nose bleeding.  

  • To see diluted blood in your mouth for 2-3 days

  • Swelling around surgical site (worst on day 2-3)

  • To be sore for at least 4 days (2nd and 3rd days are worst)

  • To have bad breath for several days

  • Tightness and stiffness to the jaw and joint areas (limited mouth opening)

  • If your pain gets worse after 3-5 days, please notify our office

  • Sore throat or pain around the TMJs

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Stitches (Sutures):

  • Sutures may dissolve or fall out on their own.  If they don't, they will be removed at your follow up visit.  It is OK if the sutures fall out early.  

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Medications:

  • Eating something 30 minutes before taking pain medication can reduce the chance of nausea or stomach discomfort

  • NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are best to manage pain and discomfort after oral surgery procedures.  These medications decrease pain and swelling (unlike narcotics).  You should schedule doses of ibuprofen immediately after your extractions (600 mg every 6 hours or 800 mg every 8 hours for an adult) which is a very effective method of pain control.  It is best to take ibuprofen before the local anesthetic (numbness) wears off. 

  • Do not exceed 3200 mg of ibuprofen or 3000 mg of Tylenol per day for adults (please reference bottle for pediatric dosing based on age and weight).

  • Do not take NSAIDs or Tylenol if your doctor has advised against it for medical reasons

  • You may supplement ibuprofen with a narcotic (opiate) pain medication (for severe pain only) and take the narcotic between doses of ibuprofen.  Please note that narcotic pain medications will not help with swelling and have side effects such as drowsiness, addiction, upset stomach, itching, and constipation. 

  • You may not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking narcotic (opiate) pain medication

  • You should take your prescribed antibiotics until finished​

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Sedation patients:

  • You can expect to be tired, sleepy, and forgetful on the day of surgery

  • Some people may repeat conversations or feel emotional

  • You should have a family member or friend with you for at least 8 hours after surgery because you may be unsteady on your feet

  • You should rest for the remainder of the day after sedation.  You should not be difficult to arouse

  • Do not drive, drink alcohol, operate machinery, attend children or attempt activities that require an alert mind for at least 24 hours after sedation

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Reasons to notify us immediately:

  • Repeated vomiting

  • Uncontrolled bleeding

  • Fever of 101 or greater

  • Worsening pain or swelling after day 5

  • Persistent numbness beyond 24 hours

  • Skin rashes

  • You should call 911 and/or go to the nearest hospital for any difficulty breathing

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