Instructions Following a Bone Graft
- After your procedure, please do not disturb the area. Avoid forcefully rinsing or spitting. Some bleeding is normal for the first 24 hours. Biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the wound for 30 minutes will help reduce bleeding. If bleeding continues please call our office.
- Please take all medications, including mouth rinses, as prescribed.
- Warm salt water rinses (one-half teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) can be used 4-5 times a day after meals. Brush your teeth with a soft manual toothbrush. Be gentle with brushing the surgical areas. Sutures may be placed after the surgery and most sutures dissolve on their own.
- Swelling and bruising may occur. The use of ice packs following your surgery will help diminish the swelling you may experience in the next 48-72 hours. Applying ice for 15-20 minutes followed by resting the same amount of time works very well.
- It is not uncommon to have pieces of the bone graft material dislodge from the surgery site for the 2 weeks following your surgery. They will be small and taste similar to salt granules. This is a normal finding and does not need intervention because the area was over packed with the graft material to ensure the best chance at restoring the area with a future implant.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Stay away from spicy foods. Also avoid sharp and crunchy foods like tacos, chips and nuts. Tobacco and alcohol should not be used. Alcohol should not be used in combination with pain medications nor antibiotics.
- Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery.
- If a surgical bandage was used, it is desirable for it to remain in place for 24 hours. Do not remove it; it will come off when ready. Once removed, you can begin cleaning the wound gently with a cotton swab dipped in a mouth rinse.
- If there were any sutures placed, please check with the office for a follow up appointment to make sure they are removed within 1 week after surgery because they can cause a subsequent infection. If resorbable sutures were placed then they will dissolve in 7 – 10 days and a follow up appointment is not necessary. Of course by all means do not hesitate to call the office to make a follow up appointment for any questions about healing or if unsure about the type of sutures placed.
- The bone graft site will need to heal for approximately 4 – 6 months prior to implant placement. Speak with your doctor to determine when to follow up.
- Follow any other instructions provided by the office on your visit. Please take all medications as prescribed including your prescribed antibiotics to help prevent infection.