Aftercare for a Dental Bone Graft

What should you do in the first days?

• Bite gently on gauze if the site oozes, for the time Dr. Lee recommends.
• Use a cold compress on the outside of your face during the first day.
• Do not rinse vigorously, spit forcefully, or drink through a straw.
• Avoid touching the site with your tongue or fingers, and do not pull on your lip to look at it.
• Rest, and avoid strenuous activity for a few days.

What can you eat?

Choose soft, cool foods for the first days, and chew on the opposite side. Avoid hot, crunchy, and spicy foods, and small seeds that could lodge near the site. Dr. Lee will tell you when you can return to your usual diet.

Is it normal to see small grains?

A few small, sand-like grains of graft material in your mouth during the first days are common. Gently rinsing as instructed is all that is needed. Call the office if larger amounts come out or the site appears open.

How does the graft heal?

The gum heals over the site within a few weeks, while new bone gradually replaces the graft material over several months. Dr. Lee checks the site at follow-up visits and lets you know when the bone is ready for an implant.

When should you call the office?

Call the office if bleeding continues after steady pressure, swelling or pain increases after the third day, you develop a fever, or you notice discharge or a bad taste.