Dental implants are so effective because they replace your missing teeth from their roots to their crown—but this also means you must have sufficient jawbone density for supporting them! 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 in preparation for dental implants. Here’s what you need to know about recovering from this process so that you can go into it with full confidence!
What Can I Expect When Recovering from a Dental Bone Graft?
As with any other type of dental surgery, a dental bone graft will always require some time to heal afterwards. This recovery phase 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; but following your aftercare guidelines and taking care of yourself will ensure that things go smoothly!
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! If you’re noticing that your mouth’s symptoms aren’t diminishing, don’t hesitate to contact your oral surgeon.
Tips for Ensuring a Smooth Recovery Following Your Dental Bone Graft
There are many things you can do to ensure a smooth and stress-free recovery following your dental bone graft! Consider the following tips:
- Get plenty of rest; this assists 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 a cold compress to reduce swelling near the surgical site.
- Don’t smoke or use tobacco products—not only are these items bad for you, but they can greatly inhibit your body’s natural healing capabilities.
- Take over-the-counter or prescribed painkillers as necessary.
- 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.
Dental bone grafts might be an extra step in the dental implant process, but it helps to ensure the future success of your implants and in turn, the future healthy and beauty of your smile.
About the Practice
The team at RP Dental & Implants is honored to serve the dental needs of the Lady Lake, FL area under the leadership of Dr. Lisa Wadsworth and Dr. Rishit Patel. Their practice is proud to offer a wide range of services including dental implants. If you have any questions about the article or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance: (352) 750-0008.