Important: Bone graft material is fragile during early healing. Follow all instructions carefully. Call (317) 876-1095 with any questions.
Protecting the Graft Site
- Do not touch, probe, or spit forcefully near the graft site.
- Avoid any suction — do not use straws, smoke, or rinse vigorously for 72 hours.
- The white or yellow material you may see is normal graft material, not infection.
- A small amount of graft material seeping out in the first few days is normal.
Swelling & Discomfort
- Swelling typically peaks at 48–72 hours. Apply ice packs to your face for 20 min on, 20 min off.
- After 48 hours, switch to warm moist heat to help reduce residual swelling.
- Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not let pain become severe before medicating.
Diet
- Eat soft foods for 1–2 weeks. Do not chew near the graft site.
- Avoid crunchy, hard, or chewy foods for at least 2 weeks.
- Stay well hydrated with water and other cool or room-temperature fluids.
Oral Hygiene
- Do not brush the graft site directly for at least 1 week.
- Gently brush other teeth, being careful not to disturb the surgical area.
- After 24 hours, gently rinse with warm salt water after meals.
- Use any prescribed antimicrobial rinse as directed.
Healing Timeline
- Bone grafts typically require 3–6 months to integrate before implant placement.
- Avoid smoking throughout the entire healing period — it dramatically reduces graft success.
- Follow-up appointments are critical to monitor healing. Do not skip them.
Call Us Immediately If You Experience:
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Increasing pain or swelling after 3 days
- Fever above 101°F
- Foul odor or taste suggesting infection
- Loss of large amounts of graft material