What You Should Know Before Getting A Dental Bone Graft

When a person has lost one or more adult teeth or has gum disease, a dental bone transplant is generally performed. Both of these diseases can result in jaw bone loss.

The use of your own bone from the hip, tibia, or rear of the jaw is the preferred method for dental bone grafting. This is referred to as an autograft. Autografts are considered the “gold standard” because they improve jaw bony stability and promote quicker healing and new bone development.

Dental bone grafts come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

• Autografts. A bone from your own body, such as your hip or jaw, is used in this procedure.
• Allografts. Bone from another person, generally a corpse, is used in this transplant.
• Xenografts. Bone from another animal, such as a cow, pig, or coral, is used.
• Alloplasts. This is where synthetic materials like calcium phosphate or calcium sodium phosphosilicate come into play (Bioglass).

What is the discomfort level of a dental bone graft?

A dental bone graft that does not need the extraction of bone from the patient's own body is a simple operation. Because you'll be sedated throughout the operation, you won't experience any discomfort until the anesthetic wears off. The discomfort is typically bearable for the following several days with over-the-counter pain medications.

Prescription-strength pain relievers may also be useful. You may have some soreness for many weeks throughout recuperation, depending on how much work is done. However, if bone material is taken from your own body, recuperation may be more difficult since surgery is performed in two sites, such as your hip and jaw. Because the amount of bone removed and grafted is generally fairly little, the pain should be minimal.

What should I do to be ready for a dental bone graft?

To prepare for a dental bone graft, you don't need to do anything. Here's a short rundown of what you should do before to the procedure: 

• Depending on the type of anesthetic you'll have, don't eat or drink anything for 8 to 12 hour before the surgery.
• Consult your doctor about any drugs you're taking, particularly blood thinners, as they might increase the risk of bleeding problems after surgery.
• Make plans to return home following the operation because you will be drowsy.

How long does it take for a dental bone transplant to heal and how long does it take to recover?

You'll probably leave the dentist's office with gauze wrapped over the incision in your mouth after a dental bone graft. You should be given instructions for changing the dressing every 24 hours, as well as an antibiotic prescription to help prevent infection. A prescription for pain medications may also be written for you.

After about a week, the dull ache in your jaw should give way to minor discomfort and feel like it is getting better. After a few weeks, your jaw should feel normal again. However, it might take many months for your jaw to be robust enough to accept the implants. 

During this time, schedule regular appointments with your dentist, including at least one round of X-rays, to monitor recovery.

What are the risks associated with a dental bone graft?

Pain and edema are the most typical adverse effects of a dental bone transplant. With ice packs and over-the-counter pain medications, however, they may be kept to a minimum. Some folks may require prescription-strength medicines. Minor bleeding and trouble eating and speaking are other common adverse effects in the first few days.

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