Bone Augmentation Aftercare

Protect the bone graft site

Do not chew directly over the bone graft site for approximately 6 weeks.
Do not wear a denture, partial denture, flipper, or other prosthesis over the graft site unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon. Pressure from a prosthesis may interfere with healing of the graft and surgical incision.
Begin with soft foods and gradually advance your diet as comfortable, while continuing to protect the grafted area.
If your bone graft is confined to one side, you may carefully chew on the uninvolved side of your mouth.
Avoid hard, crunchy, or sharp foods that could place pressure on or irritate the surgical site.

Protecting the graft from pressure during the early healing period is important to allow the graft and surrounding tissues to heal properly.

Apply gauze gently as needed for bleeding

You will receive gauze packs in your post-op bag. Bone augmentation procedures do not typically cause significant bleeding. If you notice active bleeding, place gauze gently over the surgical area and apply steady pressure for approximately 30 minutes. Repeat as needed until the bleeding subsides.

Avoid aggressively biting or chewing on the grafted area.

Take prescribed medication

We recommend taking your prescribed pain medications as soon as the initial gauze is removed, prior to the local anesthetic wearing off.

If you have been prescribed an antibiotic, take it as directed and complete the full course unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

Avoid taking medications on an empty stomach.

Restrict activities

Avoid strenuous activity, exercise, or heavy lifting for a minimum of 5-7 days after surgery, unless otherwise advised by your doctor.
Avoid activities that cause throbbing, increased swelling, or bleeding at the surgical site.

Brushing

Brush your teeth beginning the day of surgery.
Use a mirror and gently clean the teeth adjacent to the surgical site.
Do not brush directly over the bone graft or incision until instructed to do so.
Be especially careful around the sutures so the surgical site is not disturbed.

Antimicrobial mouth rinse

Beginning the day after surgery, rinse gently with the prescribed antimicrobial mouth rinse twice daily for two weeks.
Avoid vigorous swishing or spitting, particularly during the first several days after surgery.

Sutures

You may have a combination of dissolvable and non-dissolvable sutures.

Dissolvable sutures will loosen and fall out on their own as the area heals.
Non-dissolvable sutures will typically be removed at your 2-week follow-up appointment.
Avoid pulling, picking at, or disturbing the sutures with your tongue or fingers.

What to expect during recovery

Bleeding: A certain amount of bleeding is expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. If active bleeding occurs, place gauze directly over the surgical area and apply steady pressure for 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary. If blood completely soaks through the gauze within 30 minutes, you may use a moistened black tea bag in place of gauze. If bleeding does not subside, please call our office for further instructions.

Swelling/Bruising: Swelling and bruising around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, or sides of the face are normal after surgery. Swelling generally peaks approximately 2–3 days after surgery. To help minimize swelling, take your medications as prescribed and apply ice packs to the outside of the face for the first 24–36 hours. Swelling and jaw stiffness should gradually improve after the first several days.

Pain: Pain or discomfort is usually greatest during the first 24–48 hours after surgery and should gradually improve each day thereafter. Take your pain medications as prescribed or instructed. If your pain begins to worsen after initially improving or is not improving as expected, please contact our office.

Temporary Numbness: Depending on the location and extent of your bone graft, you may experience temporary numbness, tingling, or altered sensation of the lower lip and/or chin. This can occur from stretching or manipulation of the nerve that provides sensation to these areas during surgery. Sensation typically improves as the nerve recovers. Please let us know if you experience numbness or altered sensation so we can monitor your recovery.

Nausea/Vomiting: Nausea and vomiting can occur after IV sedation or with certain pain medications. This is usually temporary and improves within 24–48 hours with rest and hydration. Begin by slowly sipping clear liquids and gradually advance to soft foods. If your doctor prescribed anti-nausea medication, take it as instructed.

Diet: Begin with soft, easy-to-chew foods. Avoid chips, nuts, popcorn, crackers, and other hard or sharp foods that could irritate the surgical site. Gradually advance your diet as comfortable, but continue to avoid chewing directly over the bone graft for approximately 6 weeks. Adequate nutrition and hydration are important for healing.

Antibiotics: If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed. Unless instructed otherwise, complete the entire prescribed course. If you develop a rash or other concerning reaction, discontinue the medication and contact our office for further instructions.

Bone graft healing & implant planning

Bone augmentation requires several months of healing before the graft can be evaluated for future implant placement.

2 weeks: Follow-up appointment and removal of any non-dissolvable sutures
Approximately 6 weeks: Continue protecting the graft from direct chewing pressure
Approximately 5–6 months: We will re-evaluate the grafted area and obtain a CBCT (3D X-ray) to assess the new bone volume and determine whether the site is ready for implant planning.

Every patient heals differently. Your doctor may adjust this timeline based on the size and location of your graft and how the area is healing.

Yay for All-on-X icon, I love it! Let’s generalize it to: Implant-Supported Dentures & Full-Arch Dental Implants. See info provided below. I also have not yet completed the aftercare pdf for this so we can leave that blank for now.