How Long is Recovery from Dental Bone Grafting?

Dental bone grafting is a common procedure performed by a dentist on millions of people every year. The goal of the procedure is to strengthen and thicken the jawbone. It is commonly performed when the jawbone has deteriorated to a point of causing issues or not being able to support other dental procedures such as dental implants. If you are one of the millions of people who have been told by their dentist that they need dental bone grafting read on to learn more about the procedure and the recovery time associated with it.

Dental Bone Grafting

Before digging into the recovery time of dental bone grafting, it is important to understand the procedure itself. Tooth loss and gum disease can cause the jawbone to lose its density. When someone loses a tooth, the jawbone stops being stimulated and over time, if the tooth is not replaced, the bone density will become too thin. To restore the health of the jawbone a bone graft must be done.

Dental implants are a very popular and effective prosthetic that are designed to replace missing teeth. They require a jawbone that is dense enough to support it, however. This is because what makes dental implants effective and popular is that they are anchored into the jawbone with a post. This post ensures that the prosthetic has a solid foundation to attach to. This allows for the prosthetic, which is attached to the post, to look, feel, and function like a natural tooth. Because the post requires the jawbone to be thick enough to support it a bone graft may be required. For the procedure, the dentist removes bone from another place or uses donor bone from another source and attaches it to the area of the jawbone needing the graft. Eventually, the donor bone and existing bone fuse together to form a solid bone that can support the post of the implant.

Bone Graft Recovery

The procedure itself is performed under anesthesia, so it is relatively pain free during the procedure. It is an invasive procedure though, so some discomfort following the procedure is normal. You will be prescribed antibiotics after the procedure, which will help to prevent infection. Your dentist will also recommend pain management medications and post procedure care instructions which will help ease the discomfort. The discomfort will go away over time, and you will be able to go about your normal routines and diet. Once the bone graft has healed, you will be able to have the implant installed.

In general, most people are fully recovered between 2 weeks and 2 months following the procedure, but the length of time for recovery from bone grafts is influenced by several factors. Each person is different and recovery will be based on factors such as age, overall oral and general health, behaviors such as smoking and oral hygiene, and the amount of bone grafting that needed to be performed.

The Bottom Line

Bone grafting is a common procedure performed on millions of people every year. Each person will have their own unique recovery experience, and their dentists will be able to answer questions at it relates to them specifically.

Related: How Much Does Dental Bone Graft Cost?