Sinus Lift

Please review our General Post-Operative instructions in addition to the following information that applies when upper jaw bone height or width have been lost. The graft is placed to help restore your jawbone in preparation for possible implant replacement of the missing tooth or teeth.

You have had a Sinus Lift Augmentation procedure in your upper jaw. This procedure regains lost bone height in the area of your first and second molar and occasionally second premolar. It is an important procedure as it allows implant placement in an area that could not be implanted otherwise because of insufficient bone height due to an enlarged sinus.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, BLOW YOUR NOSE FOR THE NEXT FOUR (4) WEEKS. This may be longer if indicated.

Do not blow your nose or sneeze holding your nose. Sneeze with your mouth open. Do not drink with straws and do not spit. Scuba diving and flying in pressurized aircraft may also increase sinus pressure and should be avoided. Decongestants such as Claritin D or Sudafed will help reduce pressure in the sinuses. You may also be given a prescription for antibiotics. Please take these as directed. Anything that causes pressure in the nasal cavity must be avoided. Avoid lifting heavy objects, blowing up balloons, playing musical instruments that require a blowing action or any other activity that increases nasal or oral pressure.

Smoking must be stopped for at least two weeks after surgery, if at all, as discussed at your consultation. Smoking dramatically increases the risk of bone graft and sinus augmentation failure. Nicoderm patches from the pharmacy or medications from your primary care doctor may be necessary.

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Do not rinse or spit on the day of your surgery. This tends to disturb the blood clot, open the wound and can prolong bleeding and slow healing. You should not have a significant amount of blood in your mouth. Saliva can be swallowed, even if slightly blood tinged.

Keeping you mouth clean after surgery is essential to reduce the risk of infection. Start salt water rinses the day following your procedure. Use one half teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glassful. Rinse with the salt water three times a day.

Do not brush the teeth in the area of surgery for 24 hours. When brushing, be very gentle. When expectorating, also be gentle.

We may prescribe an antibiotic rinse (Peridex) for certain procedures. This rinse should be used three times a day. Do not eat or drink or rinse your mouth after using the medicated rinse for 1/2 hour. Using this rinse more than three times a day will cause staining of your teeth.

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery until your post-operative appointment unless specifically instructed otherwise. Please contact the office if there is any question. If you have a temporary “flipper” to wear do not place it until the numbness in the area is gone. When it is placed it should not touch the gums in the area of the surgery. If it does, this can cause ulceration of the wound edges and breakdown of the suture margins. This can lead to loss of the graft. If you have any questions about the fit of your flipper, partial or complete denture, do not wear it until your general dentist or our office can see you.

As with any procedure, unexpected post-operative healing can occur. Please contact us if any of the following occur:

Please contact our office if you have any questions about your progress.