Your treatment today involved pulling back the gum tissue and creating an opening in the wall on the side of the maxillary sinus. After access to the sinus was created, the lining of sinuses was lifted. Underneath the lining, a bone graft was placed. This graft may have included your own bone, synthetic bone substitute, human bone obtained from tissue banks, or a combination of these. Prefabricated membranes may also have been used, which, if non-restorable, will require a small additional surgical procedure for membrane removal. Sutures have been placed. A healing time of 4-6 months is typically allowed for the bone graft to integrate with the surrounding native bone.

 

Anesthetic

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• Your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment.  Avoid any chewing and hot foods or liquids until the numbness has completely worn off.  It is easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while numb. 

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• It is recommended that you take some Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) before the anesthetic completely wears off.  This will help with any swelling or pain at the injection sites where your anesthetic was administered. 

 

Bleeding

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• Bleeding may continue for several hours after surgery. Rest quietly with your head elevated. Bleeding should always be evaluated by looking directly at the surgical site. Pink or blood-tinged saliva may be seen for 2-3 days following the surgery. There is a possibility that you may develop bleeding from the nose.  This is usually temporary and will not persist past 3 or 4 days.

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• Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, smoking and alcohol until healing is complete, as all of these will delay healing, disturb the wound and reinitiate bleeding. Assume a semi-upright position, use two pillows in bed. If bleeding occurs, apply constant pressure with a gauze pad over the surgical site. If significant bleeding still continues, call the office for advice.

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• Do not under any circumstance blow your nose for the next 4 weeks.  This may be longer if indicated.  You may sniff all you like, but no blowing.

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• Try not to sneeze.  If you do have to sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open.  This is also in effect for approximately 4 weeks.  If you feel congested, you made take over the counter decongestant.

 

Pain & Discomfort

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• After the procedure you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack to the area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off while you are awake. After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect and can make swelling and pain worse. DO NOT apply the ice pack directly to your skin; rather, use a paper towel to prevent irritation to the skin.

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• You may experience sinus congestion and difficulty breathing through your nose. This is normal, though it is important to take certain measures to ensure a good surgical outcome and optimize your own comfort. Nasal congestion may create a feeling of not being able to breathe. If this occurs, stay calm,  and take a decongestant, like a nasal spray or pill. A humidifier and propping yourself up with pillows at night will also help. 

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• Sometimes minor nose bleeding can occur after; this is common and nothing to be concerned about. The bleeding should be minimal and resolve on its own with some light squeezing of your nose. If the bleeding is excessive or is not stopping, call us immediately.

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• Take pain medications as prescribed. Do not take medications that you are allergic to.  If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone.

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• If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, please call our office immediately.  

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• There may be a slight elevation in temperature for 24 to 48 hours after surgery. This is a normal body response to the surgery. If the temperature persists or is greatly elevated, please notify the office. 

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• Stiffness of the jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth. This will usually resolve within a few days.

 

Diet

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• Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious soft food following the procedure and avoid very hot or cold foods during the healing process. 

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• Avoid spicy foods, raw hard vegetables, crunchy foods, foods that produce lots of crumbs, foods with small seeds and carbonated beverages until the surgery site is completely healed.

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• Whenever possible during the healing process, try to chew on the opposite side from the tooth we have just treated until the surgery site is healed.

 

Oral Hygiene

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• It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include gentle brushing with an ultra soft brush and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean. 

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• Please wait a full 24 hours after your procedure before rinsing your mouth. After 24 hours you may rinse after each meal or snack and before retiring at night. For rinsing, use one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Lightly swish the solution around in your mouth for 30 seconds by shaking your head instead of agitating the rinse. 

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• No commercial mouthwash is to be used during this time (as it is very irritating) but an antibacterial rinse may be prescribed by your dentist if necessary. 

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• Some surgeries require stitches that dissolve on their own within a week.  If you do have stitches, avoid vigorous rinsing and flossing in that area until the stitches have dissolved.  Some stitches may feel long and hard, but will start to soften and dissolve within 24 hours.

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• Do not rinse vigorously or brush teeth at the surgery site for 7 days. After 24 hours, begin cleaning the teeth of the surgery area with a Q-tip moistened with the salt water rinse or mouth rinse prescribed and avoid all contact with the gums. After 7 days, use a manual toothbrush with ultra soft bristles. Brush in a gentle up or down motion, do not use circular motions.

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• Do not use an electric toothbrush or a waterpik for 6 weeks following surgery. 

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Activities

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• Sleep with your head in an elevated position for the first few nights if you do not have any physical limitations.

 

• No strenuous exercise for the next 3-5 days as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the surgery site.  After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. 

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• Smoking and chewing tobacco can slow the healing process and increase the chances of gum disease. Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco until site is completely healed.

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• Alcohol is a blood thinner, which will prevent the blood from clotting and will slow the healing process. Avoid alcohol until site is completely healed. Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking the prescribed medication.

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• Avoid playing wind instruments.

 

Follow Up Treatment

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The success of your treatment depends on keeping all of your scheduled appointments and maintaining your home care as explained by your dentist.  Failure to follow these instructions will result in serious complications that will require further treatment and incur additional fees.

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Following most dental procedures there may or may not be pain, depending on your threshold of pain.  You will be provided with a prescription for appropriate medication for discomfort.  In most cases, a non-narcotic pain regimen will be given consisting of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil).  If a narcotic has been prescribed, follow the directions carefully.  If you have any questions about these medications interacting with other medications you are presently taking, please call our office, your physician and/or your pharmacist.

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IF FOR ANY REASON YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CONDITION, NOTIFY DR MORRIS OR A MEMBER OF OUR OFFICE STAFF IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING THE NUMBERS BELOW IN THE ORDER LISTED.

 

Office (780) 962-3414

The cell number provided by your primary dentist at our office

WestView Health Centre (780) 968-3600 or your nearest hospital