What to Expect after a Bone Grafting Procedure

For more than a decade, Dr. George Hatzigiannis has served as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Massachusetts. Currently in private practice, Dr. George Hatzigiannis is experienced in a variety of dental procedures, including bone grafting, a topic on which he has given several lectures.

Following a bone grafting procedure, patients should avoid eating or drinking for at least an hour. For about 4-6 weeks following the grafting procedure (unless it was for a single tooth only), patients should minimize any chewing on the side where the bone graft was placed, and should avoid foods that break into sharp pieces, such as chips and popcorn. 

There is typically some discomfort following a grafting procedure, and most of it is a result of local swelling. While prescribed pain medicine, along with ibuprofen (as long as there are no allergies), can help with the discomfort, the most effective management is to minimize swelling. Keep your head elevated as much as possible during the day, and sleep on an extra 2-3 pillows in the evening for the first three days. Ice packs for the first 24 hours (20 minutes per hour) are also helpful. Dr. Hatzigiannis may also have prescribed a medication specifically designed to reduce swelling.