After Sinus Lift Graft

The most commonly used bone graft materials for sinus lifts are freeze-dried cadaver bone, bovine bone, artificial synthetic bone, your own bone (autogenous bone) or a combination of these materials.  If autogenous bone was utilized you will have two surgical wounds: the donor site and the recipient site.
 
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BLOW YOUR NOSE FOR THE NEXT FOUR (4) WEEKS.
 
This may be longer if indicated.  You may sniff all you like but no blowing.
 
Do not blow your nose or sneeze holding your nose.  Decongestants such as Drixoral, Dimetapp or Sudafed will help reduce pressure in the sinuses if necessary.  You may also be given a prescription of antibiotics, please take theses as directed.  Anything that causes pressure in your nasal cavity must be avoided.
 
Avoid bearing down when lifting heavy objects, blowing up balloons, playing musical instruments that require a blowing action or any other activity that increases nasal or oral pressure for at least four weeks after surgery
 
ANTIBIOTICS
Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infections.  You may be required to take antibiotics for up to two weeks.

PAIN

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain,  Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed.  Do NOT take Tylenol if you are taking a prescription pain medicine from our office.  Many prescription pain medicines already contain Tylenol and you can easily take too much.  You may take Ibuprofen at the same time as most prescription pain medicines we provide in our office.    Do not take any of the above medications if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it. 

ORAL HYGIENE
It is important to keep your mouth clean after surgery to reduce the risk of infection and promote rapid healing.  Start salt water rinses the day following your procedure.  Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, using the entire glassful.  Repeat as often as you like but rinse at least four to five times daily and always after eating for the next five days.  Do not swish vigorously.  Instead, turn your head from side to side and allow the rinse to soak the surgical site.
 
Begin careful tooth brushing with a soft bristle brush and tooth paste and flossing on the evening of surgery and continue at least twice a day.  Please brush very gently, particularly near the surgical area.  We will have prescribed an antibiotic rinse (Chlorhexadine, Periogard, Peridex) for your procedure.  Begin using the rinse three days prior to surgery and continue rinsing on the evening of surgery.  The rinse should be used in the morning and evening after tooth brushing and flossing.  Rinse for one minute then spit out.  Do not eat, drink, or rinse your mouth immediately after using the rinse.  Continue the rinse until our office informs you to stop (usually 1-2 weeks after surgery).  Please also keep your tongue away from the stitches.
 
DIET
Drink plenty of liquids.  Eat soft foods for the first several days after surgery.  Advance to a regular diet as swelling diminishes and you become more comfortable.  Please avoid chewing or creating pressure on the bone graft site.  Creating pressure on the site during the healing process can interfere with bone graft healing and compromise the outcome. 
PLEASE AVOID DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES DURING THE FIRST WEEK AFTER SURGERY.
Please DON NOT SMOKE for at least two weeks following surgery.  If possible please discontinue smoking during the entire six month healing period.  Smoking dramatically increases the risk of bone graft failure.
 
WEARING YOUR PROSTHESIS
We understand how important it is for our patients to be able to wear their temporary teeth as soon as possible after surgery.  All removable appliances including partial dentures, flippers, and full dentures must be checked for proper fit by our doctors before they are worn.  Theses appliances can transmit pressure to the bone bone graft site which can interfere with bone graft healing and result in bone graft failure.
 
In some cases it may be necessary to go without wearing the temporary teeth for a few days until swelling resolves and some healing takes place.  In most cases, partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should be used only for cosmetic purposes, not for chewing.  They should be worn only in public when required and removed in the privacy of your own home.
 
POST OPERATIVE CARE AND COMPLICATIONS
Swelling should reach its peak approximately 72 hours after surgery.  After this time the swelling should slowly begin to improve.  If swelling continues to increase after 72 hours please call our office.  Ice on and off for the first day after surgery can be helpful to manage early swelling.  After the first 24-48 hours you may use warm moist heat on the area.
 
A low grade fever during the first 24 hours after surgery is not uncommon.  If your fever persists for more than 24 hours or you develop a fever of 101 or higher at any time please call our office immediately.  It is not unusual to experience a small amount of bloody discharge or clotted bloody discharge from the nostril on the side of surgery.  This may occur at any time during the first week after surgery and may persist for several days off and on.  If you experience continuous or large amounts of discharge from your nose please call our office.
 
If you experience severe or persistent sinus or nasal congestion please let us know