Hi,

I was told I had to have a bone graft done on my lower left jawbone (#18) due to an extraction of a wisdom tooth I had done over 10 years ago. Why didn't they catch this sooner, I don't know. I have been asking that from my regular dentist and perio specialist before I made the decision to have the surgery. I felt like they did not want to point fingers at one another for an oversight. I did not have any pain at all before they told me this news. After the dentist cleaned the area and injected some clear liquid into the pocket my gums had formed and after the perio specialist poked around the area, an infection formed which forced me to have an emergency surgery.

After the first month, I noticed some white stuff coming out between my gums and tooth. It was soft, not hard like the bone graft material. Yes, I had some bone graft material come out but was told this was normal. OK, so I did not worry until this white soft stuff came out. I went to the perio specialist who did the surgery and was told it was scare tissue and removed it. Was told not to worry. I asked if I could brush on the site with an electric toothbrush and was told at this point I could do anything, eat on that side, brush, floss, just go back to my regular activities. I was also told to push down on the gums with a toothbrush he gave me. When he did this to my gums it bleed and hurt. I was told to do this and eventually the bleeding will stop. I did what was instructed.

I thought I have seen the last of the white stuff but no. It continually comes every now and then. I simply remove it with the toothbrush he gave me. I am in no pain but wonder if this is normal.

I'm I losing the bone graft material he put in there?
Is this white stuff suppose to keep coming out like this?

I hope this bone graft is successful because I had to pay all of this out of pocket ($ 2,000). I don't know what I will do if I had to have another one. I may not have it done due to the fact I barely could afford this one.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-P