After Bone Grafting

Home Instructions After BONE GRAFTING 

After Bone grafting surgery it is very important to not disrupt the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, picking or touching the wound on the day of surgery. Stitches placed will not resorb and are critical in keeping the gum tissue together to protect the underlying grafted bone. The stitches will begin to loosen by post-operative day 5 but should not be removed until you see Dr. Pollaccia approximately 10-14 days after surgery. As with any surgical procedure, smoking of any kind, including but not limited to (tobacco, marijuana, vape pens) should be stopped for 7 days after surgery to minimize delayed healing and pain caused by smoking.

SINUS GRAFTING

Patients who have undergone sinus grafting surgery will need to follow standard post-operative bone grafting instructions along with certain specific precautions for 14-21 days after surgery: Do not drink with a straw, Do not blow your nose, Do not play any wind instruments, Do not go up an altitude above 3,000 feet, Do not fly an airplane, Do not try to prevent a sneeze, if you do the sneeze do so with your mouth open, Do not swim or do strenuous exercise.    

BLEEDING

There is usually minimal bleeding following bone grafting surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing or red tinged saliva is not uncommon. To control bleeding apply light pressure with damp gauze for 30-45 minutes after surgery. You will be given extra gauze, which should be moistened and replaced every 45 minutes for approximately 2-3 hours or until bleeding stops. If you have bleeding beyond 4 hours you should bite on a wet black tea bag for an additional 30 minutes. In the rare instance that bleeding seems to be heavy (bright red) or continue please contact the office or doctor.

SWELLING

It is important to control swelling around the surgical site to minimize tension on the graft. You will have received either intravenous steroids if sedated for your procedure or a prescription for a tapered steroid pack which will significantly decrease post-operative swelling. You may place an ice pack for 15 minutes on and 10 minutes off during the first 6-8 hours after surgery. However, the benefits of reducing swelling with ice is limited to the first 24 hours after treatment. NSAIDS both in prescription dose or OTC will contribute to decreasing your post-op swelling and should be taken as directed by Dr. Pollaccia.  

DIET

You may drink cold liquids and eat cold soft food i.e., ice cream, jello, yogurt, applesauce, cottage cheese the day of surgery. Avoid hot liquids and foods until the following day at which time you may resume a warm soft food diet i.e., eggs, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, well cooked pasta for the next 7 days. It is extremely important to refrain form crunchy, chewy or sticky foods (nuts, chips, hard breads, baguette, popcorn, caramels etc.,) until given clearance by Dr. Pollaccia. 

ORAL HYGIENE

Good oral hygiene is essential to wound healing. We ask that you do not spit, rinse (including peridex) or brush your teeth the day of your grafting procedure, to do so may disrupt your graft. You will have started a mouthwash called perdiex the day prior to surgery rinsing for 30 seconds both morning and night. It is important to not have anything to eat or drink for 30 minutes following peridex use. The day after surgery you will resume peridex use along with brushing your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush avoiding going directly over the wound. Warm salt water rinse (one teaspoon of salt in 6 oz of warm water) should be used 3-4 times daily for the first week after surgery. No OTC mouthwash should be used for the first 10 days after surgery.

ANTIBIOTICS

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed until all medication is complete which will help to prevent infection. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash, hives or any other unfavorable reaction and contact the office or doctor for further instruction. If you develop shortness of breathe accompanied by swelling of your throat or difficulty breathing call 911 immediately. 

PAIN

You should begin taking pain taking pain medication soon after your procedure prior to the local anesthetic wearing off. As with any surgical procedure some post-operative discomfort is to be expected. OTC pain medication recommended by the doctor is to be taken exactly as directed. For Mild to Moderate pain, take either one to two tablets of extra strength 500mg Tylenol (acetaminoohen) or three to four tablets of 200mg Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen) every 6-8 hours after surgery not to exceed either 3200mg ibuprofen or 4000mg acetaminophen in a 24 hour period. For Moderate to Severe pain, take acetaminophen and ibuprofen in combination as followed: 600mg ibuprofen -3hrs- 1000mg acetaminophen -3hrs- 600mg ibuprofen -3hrs- 1000mg acetaminophen continuing until pain is controlled at which time you may taper both frequency and dosage. For Severe pain, the prescribed medication (often narcotic) should be taken as directed and usually will be alternated with ibuprofen. DO NOT TAKE OTC ACETAMINOPHEN ALONG WITH ANY PRESCRIBED NARCOTIC 

You may have been prescribed a prescription dose of ibuporfen called Motrin 800 in which case do not take any additional OTC ibuprofen. If you have any questions about the types of or frequency in which to take pain medication please contact the office or doctor.

Do not take any of the above medications if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by a doctor not to take them. Do not drink alcohol, drive an automobile or operate machinery while taking narcotics. Pain or discomfort should subside more and more every day. If pain persists or is increasing in nature past post-operative day 6, please contact the office.