After Socket Bone Grafting

The following information applies when grafting material has been placed into extraction sites to help preserve your jawbone in preparation for possible implant replacement of the extracted tooth.

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

Bone graft material 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 to clot and graft material to stabilize.
• Do not apply pressure with your tongue or fingers to the grafted area, as the material is movable during the initial healing.
• 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 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 place 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 if you need to speak to a doctor after hours.