Instructions After Bone Grafting

The following information applies when grafting material has been placed to help preserve your jawbone in preparation for possible implant replacement.

Your bone graft is made up of many particles. You may find some small granules in your mouth for the first several days. Do not be alarmed by these. It’s normal to have some of them come out of the graft site and into your mouth. There are some things you could do to minimize the amount of particles that become dislodged:

• Do not disturb or touch the wound.
• Avoid rinsing or spitting for 2 days to allow blood clot and graft material stabilization.
• Do not apply pressure with your tongue or fingers to the grafted area, as the material is movable during the initial healing. You will be instructed on the placement of gauze after your surgery.
• Do not lift or pull on the lip to look at the sutures. This can actually cause damage to the wound site and tear the sutures.
• Do not smoke.

Following the second day, gentle rinsing is allowed, but not too vigorously as you can again disturb some of the bone graft granules. If a partial denture or a flipper was placed in your mouth, you may have to see your restorative dentist to have it adjusted and learn how to remove and replace it appropriately.

It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please call the office. Please try to call during office hours; however a 24-hour answering service is available for after hours contact with a doctor.

After Sinus Lift

The following information applies when upper jaw bone height or width have been lost. The graft is placed to help restore your jawbone in preparation for possible implant replacement of the missing tooth or teeth.

A Sinus Lift Augmentation procedure regains lost bone height in the area of your first and second molar and occasionally second premolar. It is an important procedure as it allows implant placement in an area that could not be implanted otherwise because of insufficient bone height due to an enlarged sinus.

The bone that is been grafted is most commonly a combination freeze-dried bone, artificial synthetic bone and your own bone. Because of this you may have two post-surgical wounds: the donor site and the recipient site.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. BLOW YOUR NOSE FOR THE NEXT FOUR (4) WEEKS. This may be longer if indicated. You may sniff all you like but NO BLOWING.

Do not blow your nose or sneeze holding your nose. Sneeze with your mouth open. Do not drink with straws and do not spit. Scuba diving and flying in pressurized aircraft may also increase sinus pressure and should be avoided. Decongestants may be recommended or prescribed to help reduce pressure in the sinuses. You may also be given a prescription for antibiotics. Please take these as directed. Anything that causes pressure in your nasal cavity must be avoided. Avoid “bearing down”—as when lifting heavy objects, blowing up balloons, playing musical instruments that require a blowing action or any other activity that increases nasal or oral pressure. Smoking must be stopped.

Oral Hygiene

• Do not rinse or spit on the day of your surgery.
• Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Start salt water rinses the day following your procedure, if a prescription mouth rinse was prescribed use as directed in addition to the salt water rinses. Do not brush the teeth in the area of surgery for 48 hours. When brushing, be very gentle. When expectorating, also be gentle.
• Do not smoke for at least two weeks after surgery, if at all. As discussed at your consultation, smoking dramatically increases the risk of bone graft and sinus augmentation failure.
• Wear your Prosthesis or Nightguards as directed by the Doctor, please call the office if you have any questions.

Post-Operative Problems or Complications

As with any procedure, unexpected post-operative issues can occur.

• If you notice the unexpected flow of air or liquids between your mouth and nose, please let us know immediately.
• If you are aware of small particles of graft material in your mouth or being discharged from your nose let us know as well.
• If you experience sinus or nasal congestion on the side your surgery was performed, let us know.
• If there is an increase in swelling in your mouth, cheek or under your eye after 3 days, let us know.

It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please call the office. Please try to call during office hours; however a 24-hour answering service is available for after hours contact with a doctor.