After Your Sinus Lift Procedure
A sinus lift is a specialist operation. These steps will help protect the result and avoid problems.
Urgent help: who to contact
Call 999 or go to A&E now if you find it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, or if swelling spreads to your neck, under your tongue or around your eye. Also call 999 if you get a sudden, very severe headache, or signs of a severe allergic reaction (such as swollen lips, tongue or throat).
Contact your dental team straight away if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain that your medicines do not control, a lot of swelling that gets worse after day 4, a temperature above 38°C, or signs of a sinus infection (pressure in your face, or coloured mucus from your nose). If you cannot reach them, call NHS 111.
What Has Been Done
Your sinus is an air space in your cheekbone (the maxillary sinus). It sits above your upper back teeth.
In a sinus lift, the floor of this space is raised. Bone graft material is then put underneath it. This is also called sinus augmentation. It gives enough depth of bone to fit a dental implant in your upper jaw.
The thin lining of the sinus (the sinus membrane) is involved. So some of your aftercare steps are different from a normal bone graft.
- Expect clear swelling across your cheek and around your eye. It may also spread into the area around your nose. It is worst on day 2–3. It fades over 7–14 days.
- Bruising is common. It may show under your eye or on your cheek.
- On the day of surgery, some blood-stained fluid may run from your nose. This is normal. Wipe it gently. Do not blow your nose.
Protect Your Sinus — Please Read Carefully
The lifted sinus lining is delicate. Changes in pressure can tear it. This can make the graft fail. Follow these steps for at least 2 weeks after surgery, and until your dental team says you can stop:
- Do NOT blow your nose. This is the most important rule. Blowing your nose builds up pressure that can tear the sinus lining. To clear your nose, dab it gently or sniff quietly.
- Do NOT sneeze with your mouth closed. If you feel a sneeze coming, open your mouth wide. This lets the pressure out gently.
- Check with your dental team before you use any nasal decongestant spray.
- Do not fly for at least 4 weeks. Pressure changes on a plane can move the graft.
- Do not play a wind instrument. Do not do anything else that builds up air pressure inside you, such as blowing up balloons.
- Avoid hard exercise for at least 5–7 days.
- Sleep with your head raised on extra pillows.
Pain Relief and Medicines
Take all the medicines you were prescribed exactly as directed. Antibiotics are important after a sinus lift. They help stop infection spreading into the sinus.
- Take antibiotics for the full number of days on your prescription, even if you feel better. Do not stop early unless your dental team tells you to.
- Take prescribed or shop-bought (over-the-counter) painkillers at regular times for the first 3–4 days.
- Ibuprofen is especially helpful. It eases both pain and swelling (inflammation) in the sinus.
- Paracetamol (adults): take 500mg to 1g (1 or 2 × 500mg tablets). Leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not take more than 4g (8 × 500mg tablets) in 24 hours. If you weigh less than 50kg, you may need a lower dose. Ask a pharmacist.
- Ibuprofen (adults): take 200mg to 400mg up to 3 times a day, with or after food. Leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not take more than 1,200mg in 24 hours, unless your dentist or doctor has prescribed a different dose.
- You can take paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time, or spread them out through the day. Never take more than the daily maximum of either.
- Do not take paracetamol with other medicines that contain paracetamol, unless your dental team or doctor has told you to. These include co-codamol, co-dydramol and cold and flu remedies. Taking both can cause an accidental overdose.
- Check with a pharmacist, dentist or doctor before you take ibuprofen if you have asthma, have had a stomach ulcer, have heart, kidney or liver problems, take blood-thinning medicines, or are pregnant.
- Children: use children's paracetamol or ibuprofen. Give the dose on the packet or leaflet for your child's age (and weight, if given). Ask a pharmacist if you are not sure. Ibuprofen may not be suitable if your child has asthma.
- Painkillers with codeine in them (such as co-codamol) can make you sleepy. Do not drive or use machines if you feel sleepy. It is against the law to drive if a medicine affects your driving. Avoid alcohol while you take them.
- Your dental team may suggest a salt-water nose spray (saline spray). It keeps the inside of your nose moist without building up pressure. Only use it if they tell you to.
- Pain should ease a little each day from day 3. Tell your dental team if your pain gets worse.
Eating, Drinking and Cleaning Your Mouth
Eating and drinking:
- Eat only soft foods for the first 2 weeks. Try soup, mashed potato, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, soft fish or smoothies.
- Do not chew on the side where you had surgery.
- Avoid hot food and drinks for the first 24 hours.
- Do not use a straw for at least 48 hours.
- Drink plenty of cool or warm drinks.
Cleaning your mouth:
- Do not rinse on the day of surgery.
- From day 2, rinse gently with warm salty water after meals. Let the water fall gently out of your mouth. Do not swish or spit hard.
- If you were prescribed chlorhexidine (antiseptic) mouthwash, use it as directed.
- Brush your other teeth gently. Keep your brush away from the surgery site for 1–2 weeks.
Signs of Sinus Problems
The main problems that can happen after a sinus lift are a hole (perforation) in the sinus or a sinus infection. Know the warning signs:
- Air coming out of the wound when you breathe or try to clear your ears (equalise pressure). This suggests a tear in the sinus lining. Do not blow your nose. Contact your dental team straight away.
- Yellow or green mucus from your nose. This may mean a sinus infection (sinusitis).
- Pressure or pain behind your cheekbone that is getting worse, especially after day 4
- A temperature above 38°C
- A lot of swelling, or swelling that is getting worse, after day 4
Contact your dental team quickly if you notice any of these signs. A sinus infection after a sinus lift needs quick treatment with antibiotics.
When to Get Urgent Help
Contact your dental team or call NHS 111 straight away if you have:
- Heavy bleeding from your mouth or nose that will not stop
- Severe pain that your medicines do not control
- Swelling that gets much worse after day 4
- A high temperature above 38°C
- Signs of a sinus infection: pressure in your face, coloured mucus from your nose, or a fever
Call 999 or go to A&E now if you find it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, or if swelling spreads to your neck, under your tongue or around your eye. For other urgent problems, contact your dental practice. If it is closed, call NHS 111.
Also call 999 or go to A&E if you have a sudden, very severe headache or feel very unwell.
This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. Your dental team will discuss your individual circumstances and any risks specific to you. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances.
Sources
- Crowns, Fixed Bridges and Dental Implants: Guidelines. British Society for Restorative Dentistry, 2013.
- Dental implants. Oral Health Foundation.
- Drug Prescribing for Dentistry, 3rd edition; online version updated for BNF 91. Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), 2016, updated 2026.
Links checked 18 October 2026.
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