Tooth Extractions and Bone Grafting

It is important that you avoid chewing and hot liquids until all of the numbness has worn off. You may unknowingly bite or burn your tongue, cheek, etc.

Some mild discomfort is to be expected. Your gums, teeth, and jaw all have the potential for being sore or sensitive to pressure or changes in temperature. Generally, this only lasts for a few days.

We recommend that you take a single dose of an over-the-counter pain medication before your anesthetic wears off. The ideal dosage and medication is 400 mg of ibuprofen. If you are not able to take this medication, 500 mg of acetaminophen is the second best choice. Additional pain medications/prescriptions, if provided, will be explained to you. Do not take any medication to which you are allergic or which any doctor has instructed you not to take.

Please take the provided antibiotic to help clear/prevent infection. It is important that you take the antibiotic as directed and complete the full course of the antibiotic. Do not take any medication to which you are allergic or which any doctor has instructed you not to take.

If provided, gently rinse your mouth with the chlorhexidine oral rinse after breakfast and before bed to keep the surgical area clean in the absence of brushing and flossing in that area.

It is important that you respect the fragility of the bone graft area. Eat only soft foods  for 1 week. Eat slowly and carefully. Concentrate on chewing your food away from the area of the bone graft. Drink plenty of fluids.

You may experience minor bleeding for the next 48 hours. If bleeding occurs, bite down on the provided gauze for 30 minutes at a time until the bleeding stops.

Do not brush or floss in the area of the procedure for 1 week. Avoid significant exercise for the next 24 hours as it may negatively affect your healing. Do not use drinking straws, spit, smoke, or drink alcohol for the next 72 hours.

Sometimes the cover dislodges from over the bone graft. It looks like a small, mushy sponge. If this occurs, it is of little consequence, and you do not need to let us know. Also, the sutures may become loose. Unless the loose strands are bothersome, you do not need to let us know about this.

We would like to see you for a quick post-treatment visit in about 1 week. Any sutures will be removed at this appointment. Removing sutures does not require any needles or anesthetic.

If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.