After Sinus Augmentation

Post Sinus Lift Instructions

A Sinus Lift is performed to create adequate height of bone for your implant(s) to be placed. It is imperative that you follow the instructions listed below to maximize your healing and improve the outcome of the procedure and your future restorations.

  • Do NOT blow your nose for at least 7 days. Blowing your nose increases pressure in your sinuses and against the area of your graft. There is only a thin membrane separating the inside of your sinus and the graft material.
  • If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open to avoid any unnecessary pressure in the sinus.
  • Do NOT smoke, this includes vaping and marijuana. Smoking has a detrimental effect on healing.
  • Do NOT drink from a straw. Doing so creates a negative pressure in your mouth that could cause rebleeding or draw fluid from your mouth or sinus through the surgical area.
  • Your diet should include only soft food (scrambled egg/soft pasta consistency) at the surgical site until otherwise instructed. Avoid warm food and drinks for the first 24 hours. You may return to a normal diet as tolerated if you are able to keep the food on the opposite side of your mouth from the surgical area.
  • Bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding can be controlled by applying moistened gauze over the surgical area with moderately firm, biting or manual pressure for 45 minute intervals. If bleeding persists please call our office.
  • Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, keep upper body inclined when lying down for the first 48 hours after surgery. You may also apply ice periodically (20 mins on/20 mins off) to help with discomfort.
  • NSAID pain medication (ibuprofen/motrin/advil/aleve) is a mainstay of pain control after surgery. You can take 600 mg of ibuprofen/motrin every 6 hours. For additional pain control, or if you cannot take NSAID pain medication, you can take 1,000 mg of Acetaminophen/Tylenol every 8 hours. Opiate narcotics are also occasionally prescribed for pain control, these can be used in addition to NSAIDs and Tylenol, however be cognizant of the prescribed narcotic as it may contain Tylenol in it. You should not exceed more than 3,000 mg of Tylenol in 24 hours.
  • If an antibiotic has been prescribed, finish your antibiotic prescription. If you are having trouble taking the antibiotics, please call the office for additional instructions.
  • Maintain good oral hygiene to promote healing. Warm salt water rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) can be used if you feel the need to rinse your mouth. Brush your teeth normally. While sutures/stitches are in place, apply your prescribed oral rinse using a tufted q-tip. Once the sutures are removed you can brush over the surgical area to keep it clean.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24-48 hours following surgery.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office at Waterville office of Mid-Maine Oral Surgery Office Phone Number 207-873-0117. After hours, you will reach our answering service and they will page the surgeon and have him call you back.