Sinus Precautions

Rarely, a tooth will grow into the sinus or be located so close that during removal, the sinus may be opened, entered, or bruised. Sometimes there is no bone between the tooth root and the sinus, or infection has destroyed the bone in the area. These situations can allow the sinus to be opened following a tooth removal, or a root or tooth may fall into the sinus during surgery. When any of these conditions occur, special care must be exercised to ensure proper healing of the sinus.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BLOW YOUR NOSE FOR THE NEXT FOUR (4) WEEKS.

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

You may have a nosebleed or some drainage from your sinus over the next few days. This will stop when adequate healing has occurred. You may pass dried blood mixed with mucous from your nose or mouth over the next two weeks.

You may be given a follow-up appointment for examination of this area. With proper care, most sinus openings will heal within two weeks without complication.

If after you leave the office, you feel an opening has occurred, evidenced by air or liquid passing from your mouth to your sinus, call our office so you can be seen for evaluation. If a sinus opening persists, additional surgery may be necessary to close the opening.