After Bone Grafting

  • If you received a bone graft with treatment, follow your general postoperative instructions as they pertain to your treatment.
  • ALL BONE GRAFTS MUST BE LEFT UNDISTURBED IN ORDER TO HEAL.
  • DO NOT CHEW FOOD DIRECTLY OVER THE BONE GRAFTING SITE.
  • Attention to oral hygiene is extremely important and you must brush your mouth and teeth as normal but avoid the surgical area.
  • It is important to keep the incisions clean and free of food debris. A Q-tip with saltwater can be used to lightly clean the incisions. Once the stitches dissolve, extremely gentle and light brushing with toothpaste can begin taking care to not displace the healing wound edges.
  • Light bleeding after brushing is normal and will decrease as healing occurs.
  • With larger bone grafts, there may be a second set of individual stitches that will not dissolve and brushing can be done around these without issue until they are removed in the office.
  • Very rarely small particulates of graft material can be felt in the mouth as a gritty substance as healing occurs. This should subside within a few days after treatment, but if it is extensive or concerning please call the office and schedule an evaluation.
  • Bone grafts take up to 6 months to heal and it important that you keep your follow-up to have an evaluation for the next step.

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