Bone Grafts & Sinus Lifts

You may find some small granules in your mouth for the first several days. Do not be alarmed by these. It is normal to have some of them come out of the graft site and into your mouth.

Do not apply pressure with your tongue or fingers to the grafted area, as the material is movable during the initial healing.

Do not lift or pull on the lip to look at the sutures. This can actually cause damage to the wound site and tear the sutures.

First day: Let the blood clot stabilize. If you have to rinse, do so very lightly.

Second day: Gentle water swishes would be advised (not too vigorously). Absolutely no waterpiks.

• Take prescriptions as directed.
• Do not forcefully spit for 3-5 days.
• Do not smoke for several days.
• Do not use a straw for several days.
• Do not forcefully blow your nose for at least two weeks, even though your sinus may feel “stuffy” or there may be some nasal drainage.
• Try not to sneeze; it will cause undesired sinus pressure. If you must sneeze, keep your mouth open.
• Eat only soft foods for several days, always trying to chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Avoid popcorn, peanuts, and seed for at least 2-3 weeks or until tissue is healed over.
• Do not rinse vigorously for 3-5 days. Gentle salt water swishes may be used.
• Unless you told otherwise, the sutures used will dissolve by themselves.

Slight bleeding from the nose is not uncommon for several days after sinus lift surgery. Please keep our office advised of any changes in your condition, especially if drainage or pain increases. It is important that you keep all future appointments until this complication has resolved.