Sinus graft aftercare | Whitehall dental practice

Advice Following Sinus Graft Procedure

The patient must be accompanied home and supervised by a responsible adult for at least two hours following surgery.
Rest is recommended for the remainder of the day.
Normal activities may be resumed the following day as tolerated.

Restrictions

These instructions only apply if you have been given intravenous sedation.

No alcohol consumption or driving for 24 hours.
Do not wear contact lenses for 24 hours following surgery.
No breast-feeding for 12 hours after sedation.
All surgical patients should not smoke, rinse or spit for 24 hours.

Bleeding

Gauze should be placed over the surgical site.
To prepare the gauze, moisten it with tap water, roll it up, fold it over, and place over the surgical site.
Keep gauze packs in place for three to four hours or until bleeding subsides, changing at one-hour intervals as needed.
Minimal bleeding is expected.
Bleeding may occur from the nose. This is not uncommon and should pass quickly.
If you have any concerns about your bleeding please consult the practice.

Swelling

Apply ice to jaws for 20 minutes on/20 minutes off, for four to six hours.
The ice packs provided to you should be used. Frozen peas wrapped in a towel are also effective.
Replace ice in the bag as needed, wrapping a towel or cloth around it.
Maximum swelling is expected within 36-48 hours and may last for several days.
Ice after 24 hours is not beneficial.
If the swelling is significant you may use moist heat compresses to help reduce it. The less swelling, the less pain.

Medications

Post-operative pain will be the most severe the first day after surgery.
Take prescribed medications as directed or use acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin for mild to moderate discomfort,
It is beneficial to take your pain medication before your numbness wears off.
Do not take pain medication with an empty stomach or you may become nauseated.
Pain medication should be taken with food or milk products.
Do not consume alcohol or drive when taking prescribed pain medication.
Take your antibiotics as directed and until finished.
Rinsing with warm salty water (teaspoonful of salt dissolved in a glass of water) after each meal and as needed.
Dissolvable sutures may loosen with brushing and minimal bleeding may occur.

Special Considerations

If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open to avoid unnecessary pressure on the sinus area.
No nose blowing for one week. If you feel air flow at the surgical site, please contact the practice.
If you feel congested, you may need to use antihistamines or decongestants. If you do, use over-the-counter products such as Sinutab or Sudafed.
Trismus (stiffness) of the muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a period of days. Anti-inflammatory medications and moist heat compresses to the jaw(s) can minimize this condition.
There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If this temperature persists please contact our office.
Sutures used during surgery usually dissolve in seven to ten days. You may be instructed to avoid playing wind instruments for a short time after your dental surgery

Next steps

Do you have an urgent question related to a sinus graft procedure?

Please contact our practice as soon as possible.

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