Post-Operative Instructions Maxillary EXT Near Sinus

The maxillary sinus are air-filled cavities beneath your eyes and behind your cheekbones. Because your upper teeth near the back of the upper jaw are close to this area, removing a back molar can frequently cause exposure of the sinus floor. Most exposures will heal on their own or with little intervention as long as these instructions are strictly followed after the surgery:

• Do not be alarmed if you experience intermittent nose bleeding from the side of your surgery—this is a normal occurrence.
• Avoid blowing your nose vigorously for two weeks. The communication between the nose and allows pressure in your nose to transfer to the sinus and subsequently to the extraction area.
• If you feel stuffed up, try decongestants like Drixoral or Sudafed instead of blowing your nose.
• Keep your tongue away from the surgical site. Do not cut or take out your stitches if you feel them loosening up when swelling subsides.
• Don’t use straws for the first 2 weeks.
• Avoid smoking because it can have a significant impact on your healing. Wound breakdown and poor healing is 10 times more likely in smokers compared to nonsmokers.
• When sneezing, do so with your mouth open at the same time. This may feel strange, but it helps release pressure.
• Avoid clenching or bearing down when blowing balloons or lifting heavy objects. Also don’t play musical instruments that require a blowing action or any increase in nasal pressure. Flying or scuba diving may also increase sinus pressure, which is why you should avoid these activities.
• Failure to follow these instructions may result in permanent communication between your sinus and mouth, which would require additional surgery, leading increased cost and recovery time.