Four Tips to Prepare for a Bone Graft Procedure

A bone graft can be used to thicken your jawbone so you can get dental implants, and it can be used to rebuild damaged bone structures in the mouth. The procedure requires oral surgery, and it can take up to three months to fully heal from it. Those who get a bone graft so they will be a candidate for dental implants will need to be fully healed to be eligible.

Preparing for a bone graft

While the idea of oral surgery can be a bit intimidating for some people, bone grafts are a fairly straightforward procedure. Here are some simple things patients can do in preparation for their surgery:

1. Inform your dentist about all medications being taken

Healthy platelet creation is essential for recovery after oral surgery. Some medications and supplements like anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements can slow down the production of platelets in the body.

The oral professional who will be performing the surgery might ask the patient to stop taking some of these supplements and drugs. Factors like the type of medication and the patient’s dosage affect how far in advance of their surgery they would need to stop taking these medicines. Patients who want to start taking new supplements between their consultation for bone grafts and their surgical date should verify that it is okay with their dentist.

2. Existing restorations might need to be adjusted

Patients who have existing dental work like crowns or dental bridges might need to have them adjusted before their bone grafts. This is done to prevent the restoration from being damaged during the treatment. The restoration’s proximity to the planned surgical site is one of the main factors that determines if it needs to be adjusted before bone grafts.

3. Prepare for the big day

Oral surgery places limitations on patients since they need lots of rest to promote healthy healing. Simple things patients can do to make the recovery process easier include:

• Arrange for transportation back home. Patients should avoid driving for the 24 hours following a bone graft
• Patients should get a friend or family member to monitor them for the first 24 hours after the procedure in case of complications
• Fill all prescriptions for medication that will be taken during the recovery period before the procedure
• Arrange to take a few days off work

4. Reschedule if you are sick

Patients should reschedule their bone graft if they feel like they are falling ill. Even the most minor illnesses like a cold weaken a person’s immune system, which increases the risk of complications. An immune system that has been weakened by health issues is less likely to be able to fight complications like an infection.

Bone grafts open up your options

Bone grafts can help to rebuild teeth structures damaged by gum disease, and they can widen your jaw so you are eligible for implants. Give us a call or visit our Tucson clinic to learn more about bone grafts.

Request an appointment here: https://www.casasadobesdentistry.com or call Casas Adobes Dentistry at (520) 365-0559 for an appointment in our Tucson office.