Recovery After Dental Bone Grafting: What to Expect

Have you been told that you need to have bone grafting performed before you can get dental implants? This procedure is often key for ensuring that your new smile is successful. As with any type of dental treatment, it’s important to know what will happen during the recovery process so that you can prepare appropriately. If you read on, you can learn more about what you can expect after bone grafting and some important steps to take to make sure everything goes as planned.

What Happens During Bone Grafting?

In dentistry, bone grafting is typically used to rebuild the jawbone after it has suffered from damage or bone loss. During the procedure, your gums will be opened, and bone tissue (taken either from a donor or another part of your body) will be applied to the appropriate areas. Afterward, the gums will be closed with stitches.

What Will Recovery After Bone Grafting Look Like?

As you can probably guess, you can normally expect some level of discomfort after the surgery. In particular, your gums will likely be sore due to the incision that had to be made in them. Oftentimes you will be prescribed medication that can help you manage your pain.

The amount of time that you need to stay home from work after bone grafting can vary. Some patients only require a couple of days to rest while others may need to wait at least a week to return to their normal activities.

Recovery after bone grafting can last anywhere from two weeks to two months. It’s worth remembering, though, that it can take three months or more for the actual bone graft to completely heal.

How Can You Take Care of Your Mouth During Your Bone Graft Recovery?

It’s up to you to make sure that your mouth gets the proper aftercare in the days following your bone grafting procedure. Here are some of the steps that you should keep in mind:

• Carefully follow any instructions that your dentist or oral surgeon gave you, such as taking your prescribed medication.
• Be careful regarding the foods you eat. You will only be able to eat soft foods for a certain period of time, and you will need to avoid particularly hot, spicy, or salty meals.
• Once you have reached the point where you’re able to brush your teeth again, you will need to be very careful when cleaning around the area where the bone graft was performed.
• Get plenty of rest. Do not engage in any strenuous physical activity until you are told that it’s okay.

Follow these and any other provided aftercare instructions, and you can look forward to a smooth recovery process. Once your mouth is completely done healing from bone grafting, you can move forward with getting dental implants to reclaim a sturdy new smile.

About the Practice

At Whitinsville Family Dentistry, our dentists always listen carefully to the needs of our patients and customize the treatments they provide accordingly. We’re able to place dental implants in-office, and we offer a wide range of other procedures as well. If you’re interested in scheduling a consultation at Whitinsville Family Dentistry, visit our website or call (508) 234-8107.