Dental bone grafting is a common procedure in the dental health world and is often the first step to bringing back a healthy and confident smile.
Even so, needing a dental bone graft procedure can be very daunting, especially if you don’t understand what the procedure entails, specifically the different dental bone graft healing stages.
The good news is this guide will teach you everything you need to know. Read on to learn about dental bone graft healing to begin a new dental health journey.
Dental Bone Graft Overview
First and foremost, you’ll need to better understand what occurs during a bone graft procedure. A dental bone grafting procedure added density and volume to the jaw bone to reinforce weakened areas and provide more structure. Typically, an oral surgeon will utilize bone from your hip or tibia to complete the graft, known as an autogenous graft (autograft).
You might also use bone graft material from a human tissue bank, or in some cases, bone graft material can be synthetic. Although autografts are the best choice since they come from your body, an experienced oral surgeon will determine the best option for your particular situation.
Once the new bone graft material is in place, your own bone tissue starts to grow, strengthening the structure the graft creates.
Why Do You Need a Dental Bone Graft?
Anyone with jaw bone loss will typically need a bone graft to strengthen their jaw. However, most dentists recommend this procedure to help with dental issues like:
- Tooth extraction due to decay or injury
- Bone loss due to infections or health problems like osteoporosis
- Needing more jawbone for dental implants
- Rebuilding the jaw for dentures
Finally, some people have tooth and bone loss due to severe gum disease or periodontitis. In these cases, your dentist will usually recommend a bone graft to repair bone loss so you can have procedures like implants in the future.
Dental Bone Graft Healing Stages
Dental graft recovery can vary for some people, but you can expect specific healing stages that begin on the day of surgery. These stages include:
Phase One: Surgery Day
This first day is also known as the initial inflammation phase as the body sends nutrients and oxygen to the site to begin healing.
You’ll receive local anesthesia to numb the bone graft area during surgery. Once you’re numb, the oral surgeon will make a small incision in your gums to move the gum tissue back and visualize your jawbone.
Next, they’ll clean and disinfect the area before adding bone graft material to the sections of bone that need strengthening.
In most cases, a membrane or dissolvable adhesive material secures the bone graft into place. Finally, the gum tissue gets repositioned, and stitches close the incision.
On this day you can expect swelling, pain, and minor bleeding. You’ll typically need gauze pads to control the bleeding and your oral surgeon may prescribe pain medications to keep you comfortable. You may also need antibiotics to treat infections or to reduce the risk of infection at the graft site.
Your oral surgeon will give you instructions for the next day which include applying ice packs and eating bland, soft foods for the next few days.
Phase Two: First Week After Surgery
The next phase of the oral surgery healing process occurs within the first 4 to 14 days after surgery and is also known as the granular tissue formation phase. This tissue results from building blocks like fibroblasts and endothelial cells that grow to provide structure for new bone cells and blood vessels.
This healing phase ultimately allows the graft site to stabilize, but you may still experience some discomfort and swelling.
You’ll need to maintain your post-surgical bone care routine by brushing your teeth gently and taking pain medications as prescribed. Your oral surgeon may also recommend rinsing your mouth with salt water to reduce infection risks.
Phase Three: Initial Bone Graft Healing
The initial bone graft healing phase typically lasts from two to six weeks and is the period when the graft material begins integrating with your natural bone.
Once this begins to occur, you’ll have less pain and swelling as the inflammation starts to decrease. You’ll still need to follow a soft diet and keep all your follow-up appointments to ensure you’re making enough progress.
Your dentist will let you know when it’s time to graduate to harder foods, but you’ll still need to avoid chewy or crunchy foods.
Phase Four: Bone Graft Maturation
This phase occurs two to six months after surgery and is one of the first bone regeneration steps that shifts to bone graft maturation and strengthening of the material. During this phase, the graft material continues to fuse with the natural bone, allowing for more stability and strength.
As this phase continues, you can return to normal chewing and biting with ongoing support from your oral surgeon. You should no longer need pain medication, but you’ll need to maintain a good oral hygiene routine that consists of brushing twice daily and using fluoride toothpaste.
Phase Five: Continued Healing and Full Bone Graft Integration
The final stage involves continued healing, usually lasting around six months, but it can sometimes take up to nine months. The recovery time depends on the type of graft, graft area, and how well your body can heal.
Some people also have setbacks due to complications like infection, ongoing pain, and swelling.
Your oral surgeon or dentist will monitor your healing process and determine the next steps. For example, if you plan to get implants, your jaw will need to be strong enough to support both an implant and a crown.
Talk to an Oral Surgeon Today About Your Options
Now that you understand more about dental bone graft healing stages, you’ll feel much more comfortable about taking the next steps.
The professionals at Legacy Oral & Facial Surgery can help you improve your dental health so you can live your life to the fullest. We’ve been committed to helping patients since 1992, aiming to provide the most relaxed and comfortable experience possible. We offer a variety of services like bone grafting, wisdom tooth removal, and dental implants, as well as treatments for facial trauma, oral cancer, Botox, and more.
We have offices in Hickory, Morganton, Statesville, and Asheville to serve you best. Make sure to contact us today to schedule an appointment!