Hi to everyone here. I've found the listed questions and responses in this forum very helpful in my experiences with bone grafts the past 4 months. I'm already very thankful to the previous posters who have helped calm my nerves.

In October I had tooth #19 (first molar on left side?) removed and a bone graft inserted in preparation for an implant. There was a massive chronic infection beneath it which had deteriorated much of the bone. A few weeks after the procedure, a large amount of the bone graft material was spit out while I was rinsing my mouth. The graft was considered a failure and I was referred to a periodontist.

Ten days ago the periodontist attempted another bone graft. The x-rays showed that a lot of the graft material had stayed in and grown, so the previous graft was partially successful.

He knew about my previous failed bone graft and so did a gum transplant to help close the site. It seemed to be going well, but a few days ago white material sort of stuck up from the site in a little sheet. I could see two of these 'sheets' but they seemed fairly stable, so I decided to just ignore them and do my thing. Today while rinsing my mouth both of these sheets of material came off. I did rescue one from the sink and took a photo of it, but this is my first post so I can't provide a link...


Both pieces of material were roughly the same size. I was not brushing the graft site with my toothbrush, and was following my aftercare instructions. I do not smoke.

I see my dentist on Thursday for a followup. I am just anxious that once again I will hear that the graft has failed and have to go for a third procedure.. meaning more pain, anxiety and money. This is all very frustrating, and I was already quite unhappy that I had to pay for one failed graft procedure.

Any idea what could have happened here? The first dentist didn't tell me that such a large graft was likely to fail until after it had already failed. It has been afrustrating process.