After sinus elevator: recommendations, reviews and consultations

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Recovery time after a sinus elevator depends on the surgical technique, the patient’s health status, and adherence to the surgeon’s recommendations. Most patients are fully recovered in 5-7 days. On the 7th-10th day, the doctor invites for a control examination to assess tissue healing and remove sutures.

What sensations bother me after surgery?

Before the procedure, the surgeon will tell you how the rehabilitation period will be. The first 2-3 days, patients are bothered by swelling and pain on the side of the face where the gum was opened.

Pain

The most severe is in the first 3-6 hours after sinus elevator. To deal with it, the surgeon will prescribe over-the-counter analgesics (usually ibuprofen). Take the analgesic every 3-4 hours, but no more than 5 times a day.

If the operation was performed on an empty stomach (under general anesthesia), taking an analgesic immediately after its completion may cause nausea. Therefore, the doctor recommends drinking a milkshake first, and then take a tablet 30 minutes later.

Do not drive after taking painkillers, these drugs reduce concentration and attention.

Swelling and other symptoms

This is the body’s normal reaction to surgical trauma. After a sinus elevator, swelling occurs on the cheek and under the eye (on the side of the face where the surgery was performed). The swelling gradually subsides and disappears after 24 hours.

To reduce swelling on the first day after surgery apply an ice pack to the cheek for 5-10 minutes, taking breaks for half an hour. On the 3-4th day, on the contrary, warm compresses are applied to the cheek.

In addition to the above symptoms, some patients may experience:

pain in the throat (passes within 2-3 days),
fever (not more than 37.3ºC),
nausea (in patients who do not eat well but drink a lot of analgesics),
decreased sensitivity of the gums in the operated area.

How to eat after the sinus elevator procedure

Due to tissue trauma, the first 3-4 days after surgery, non-rigid food is consumed.

In the following days, it is important to eat regularly. Food should be soft (porridge, minced meat) or mashed. Try not to chew the food on the side where the operation was performed.

The diet should be high in calories, as the body needs energy to recover. Drink more fluids to avoid dehydration. The norm of fluid intake is 5-6 glasses per day.

In the postoperative period, avoid eating popcorn, nuts, seeds and other foods that can traumatize the gums. The first days after sinus elevator do not eat hot food – it will increase swelling and cause bleeding.

How to care for your mouth

Keeping your mouth clean is important to prevent infectious complications after surgery.

Gently brush your teeth the evening of the day of surgery (avoiding areas near the wound).
Avoid rinsing your mouth with force and spitting to prevent the stitches in the wound from coming apart.
From the second day after the sinus elevator procedure and for a week, gently rinse your mouth with slightly warm salt water (your doctor will tell you how to prepare the solution). Do this after every meal.
In addition, rinse your mouth with chlorhexidine solution 2 times a day: in the morning and at night after brushing your teeth.
Use only a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth.

What other recommendations should be followed?

Taking antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor.
Avoid physical exertion for the first 2-3 weeks.
Do not smoke for at least 5 days after surgery (nicotine prevents tissue healing).
If there is a removable prosthesis, do not wear it for at least 2 days after surgery.
Do not drink through a straw, do not blow your nose with force, do not puff up your cheeks until the wound in the mouth does not heal.
For a month, refuse to visit saunas, baths and swimming pools.
Exclude flights for 3-4 weeks.

When to see a doctor

Contact your surgeon within 24 hours if:

Severe nasal congestion is felt on the side of the surgery.
After 5-6 days, the swelling does not go down but continues to grow.
There is heavy bleeding that cannot be stopped.
High fever lasts longer than 2 days.
Pain increases 1-2 days after the sinus elevator.
Bone material seems to have seeped through the wound (after sneezing or sloppy blowing).
Feeling prolonged numbness or tingling in the operated area 8 hours after surgery.