Are Dental Bone Grafts Painful? What You Need to Know
If you have missing teeth and are considering dental implants, a dental bone graft may be necessary to replace bone in your jaw lost to gum disease, injury, or tooth extractions. While this can be essential to oral health and well-being, bone grafts can be intimidating.
Are dental bone grafts painful? How long is the recovery process? Learn more about the dental bone graft procedure, what to expect, and how to manage pain and discomfort during recovery.
“Jawbone loss can harm your oral health. Dental bone grafts can improve your options for restorative procedures like dental implants.”
What Is a Bone Graft?
A dental bone graft is a type of oral surgery that increases the volume and density of the jaw. Natural or lab-made bone grafting material is implanted in the areas where you have lost or thinned bone. Once the surgery is complete, your own body repairs the area by growing bone tissue.
Who Needs a Dental Bone Graft?
You may require a dental bone graft if:
You’re planning to get a dental implant but lack sufficient jawbone to support it.
Tooth loss or gum disease has caused significant bone deterioration.
A tooth extraction leaves a gap where bone volume needs reinforcement to maintain jaw integrity.
What Happens During a Dental Bone Graft Procedure?
The exact bone graft procedure can vary based on your circumstances, but it generally includes:
Numbing your gums with local anesthetic or undergoing sedation, depending on which you’ve chosen.
Making an incision into your gums.
Moving the gums away from the jawbone.
Cleaning and disinfecting the area.
Adding dental bone grafting materials to the areas with bone loss.
Covering the bone graft with a membrane to protect it. This may need to be removed or absorb on its own during healing.
Repositioning your gums.
Closing the incision with stitches.
Depending on the size of the bone graft, the initial recovery takes about a week, but the bone graft itself needs at least three months to heal. Some larger bone grafts may need nine or 12 months to heal.
Do Dental Bone Grafts Hurt?
A common concern with bone graft surgery is whether the procedure hurts. The answer depends on the complexity of the procedure and your individual bone tolerance. However, most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure itself because of local anesthesia or sedation, and post-operative pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
There may be some soreness, swelling, and tenderness as your body starts healing, but these symptoms often subside within a few days to a week.
Managing Pain After a Dental Bone Graft
While mild pain or discomfort is common, it’s manageable with proper care and support. Here are some tips to help with recovery:
Take Pain Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are usually sufficient to manage discomfort with bone graft surgery. If you’re having a lot of pain, your periodontist may prescribe additional pain medication, but this is handled on a case-by-case basis.
Use a Cold Compress
Applying a cold pack to your cheek near the surgical site can help reduce swelling and numb pain. It’s best to use cold packs for 20 minutes, then take a break for at least 20 minutes.
Follow Post-Operative Instructions
Your periodontist will provide detailed post-operative instructions to help you manage your pain and hygiene after surgery. You may need to avoid certain foods, rinse with saline or prescription mouthwash, and take prescribed antibiotics to prevent infections. Be sure to ask any questions you may have.
Stick to Soft Foods
You may need to stick to soft, non-irritating foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies after surgery to make chewing easier and avoid irritating the surgical area. This may only be for the initial healing period.
Avoid Disturbing the Surgical Site
Irritation to the surgical site can cause pain. Avoid spitting or swishing vigorously. You shouldn’t drink beverages with alcohol or smoke or vape for at least two weeks after the procedure because it can inhibit healing.
Contact Your Periodontist with Any Concerns
If you have severe pain, pain that lasts longer than a week, or pain that’s worsening, contact your periodontist promptly to ensure there are no complications. Excess pain, fever, pus, and increased swelling can indicate a problem.
Explore Your Options at Central Texas Periodontics
Jawbone loss can harm your oral health. Dental bone grafts can improve your options for restorative procedures like dental implants. If you’re concerned about discomfort and pain during the procedure, Central Texas Periodontics can help. We offer advanced techniques and compassionate care to minimize your discomfort and support a smooth healing process. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!