Tips for Recovering from a Dental Bone Graft

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are one of the best solutions available. These awesome implants can fully restore lost teeth in terms of look, feel, and functionality—and quite well! That said, not just anybody can receive dental implants; in some cases, preparatory dental work might be necessary. This often includes a dental bone graft. If your dentist has informed you that you’ll need a bone graft before you can receive dental implants, here’s some insight into why this procedure is sometimes necessary, along with what you can expect afterwards.

Why Do I Need a Dental Bone Graft?

Dental implants are so incredibly effective because they replace your missing teeth from their roots to their crown—but this means that you must have the sufficient jawbone density for supporting them! If there isn’t enough healthy bone for your implants to fuse with, they will ultimately fail due to not being able to withstand the daily forces of biting, chewing, talking, and so on. This is where dental bone grafts come in handy. Your dentist can borrow bone from another part of your body (usually somewhere else in your mouth) and use it to fortify existing bone in your jaw. Sometimes bone grafts are also used to treat other issues that might negatively affect your implants, such as severe gum disease.

What Can I Expect During the Recovery Period?

As with any other type of dental surgery, a dental bone graft will always require some time to heal afterwards. This recovery period can take anywhere from several months to a year or so, depending on the size of the graft, the defect being treated, and the patient’s overall health and healing ability. Initially following a bone graft, you might notice swelling or bruising in the face around the site of the surgery—but this is simply your body’s natural response to the procedure and nothing to fret over!

Tips for Ensuring a Smooth Recovery

There are several things you can do after your dental bone graft to ensure a smooth recovery:

• Get plenty of rest to assist your body with the healing process.
• Avoid intense exercise and physical activity following the procedure, as it can increase your body’s blood flow and cause bleeding in your surgical site.
• Apply cold compresses/ice packs to reduce swelling near the surgical site.
• Don’t smoke or use tobacco products, as these items can greatly inhibit your body’s natural healing capabilities.
• Take over the counter or prescribed painkillers as necessary.
• Follow your dentist’s instructions concerning keeping the site of the bone graft clean and dry.
• Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods initially and stick to a soft-food and liquid diet.
• Keep up with your regular check-ups throughout the healing process to ensure things are going as planned.

When it comes to recovering from a dental bone graft, patience is key! Although the process might seem lengthy and even a little tedious, it’s certain to set up your future implants for lasting success.

About the Author

Dr. Justin Braga received his dental doctorate from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco and has over 15 years of experience in a wide variety of fields. His practice is pleased to offer several available services including dental bone grafting. If you have any questions or concerns about dental bone grafts or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact Dr. Braga through his practice’s website or over the phone: (714) 587-9084.