If you have diminished bone mass in your jaw due to osteoporosis, tooth decay, aging, or some other reason, you will probably need a bone graft before having dental implants placed. A bone graft involves using healthy bone from either a donor or another part of your body (or sometimes synthetic materials) to restore bone that has deteriorated. Grafting your jawbone means that you will now have sufficient bone to support your new dental implants, which prevents your implants from failing. Here is some information to help you understand what the recovery process is like after bone graft surgery.
Discomfort
The actual bone graft surgery should not hurt at all since you will be under general anesthesia. You might experience some mild discomfort and swelling after your procedure, but neither should last long. Applying ice to your jaw can help reduce swelling and discomfort during the first day or two after surgery. We might prescribe pain medication as well as an antibiotic to prevent infection, and we will give you specific instructions about what to expect and how to manage discomfort.
Length of Time
Your bone graft needs to completely heal and fuse with your natural jawbone before we can place your dental implants. The exact length of time it takes to heal from a bone graft surgery can vary from one patient to another based on factors including age and general health. Typically, you can expect the recovery process to take several months. You may need to eat soft foods for a while and limit physical activity while you heal. We will have you come into our office for periodic checkups to see how your jaw is healing and determine when you will be ready to have your implants placed.
While the process for getting implants takes longer if you require a bone graft, it is well worth the wait. Careful recovery and frequent monitoring after having bone graft surgery on your jaw are crucial for making sure your implants will succeed in giving you a beautiful, healthy smile that will last a lifetime. Call us today to learn more.
Office Hours
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9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Friday:
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Professional cleanings Mon, Wed, Thurs: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Dental Implant Center at Walnut Creek: Blog Dr. Keith and Dr. Petrini have been proudly serving the Grater Bay Area community for many years and pride themselves on performing excellent services in general dentistry and dental implants. Dental Implant Center at Walnut Creek, 1111 Civic Drive, Suite 320 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 - (925) 266-3550 - implantcenterwc.com - 9/19/2024 - Related Phrases: dental implants Walnut Creek CA -
If you have diminished bone mass in your jaw due to osteoporosis, tooth decay, aging, or some other reason, you will probably need a bone graft before having dental implants placed. A bone graft involves using healthy bone from either a donor or another part of your body (or sometimes synthetic materials) to restore bone that has deteriorated. Grafting your jawbone means that you will now have sufficient bone to support your new dental implants, which prevents your implants from failing. Here is some information to help you understand what the recovery process is like after bone graft surgery.
