Hi All,

I'm congenitally missing both lateral incisors and just got bone grafts in preparation for dental implants on Wednesday (6/13) and I'm not in any pain, I actually feel great. I had a few questions hopefully someone can answer them:

1. My gums are really swollen and I've not been able to wear my partial (with the two fake teeth attached), I'm wondering if I continue not to wear the retainer, will my teeth move? Also, will my gums go back to normal so that I can wear my retainer again… it’s not fun going to work with missing teeth?

2. I can see a little piece of the membrane poking out through the site of bone insertion, is that normal?

3. I looks as though my two front teeth have shifted slightly to the left, is this due to the bone graft, or even possible?

Thanks, I appreciate any information!

Hi DTown,

Did the surgeon tell you to leave the partial out for a short time or wear it as much as possible?

Depending on the individual case, sometimes the patient is instructed to leave the partial for several days so as not to disturb the surgical sites. Other times, it is best to put the partial in immediately after surgery to reduce the swelling and protect the surgical sites. It depends on how extensive the bone grafting was done and if the surgeon was able to get complete closure of the surgical sites.

The membrane that you mention is a piece of collagen tape or plug that is placed over the bone graft material to help hold it in place. The sutures are stitched through the gum tissue closing the collagen and graft materials inside of the surgical opening. The collagen material fairly quickly integrates with the bone graft material. Sometimes small pieces of the graft material will fall out of the surgical site for the first couple of days, this is normal. There is a lot of graft material in that hole, so losing a little of it is not a problem.

The front teeth may appear to have moved slightly ... this is probably due to the swelling and will go back to normal once that goes down.

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,

Thanks so much for your help!! The surgeon said to wear the retainer after surgery bc of the swelling but take it out when I went to sleep. I did exactly as instructed but woke up the next morning and it was painful to put the retainer back in so I havent worn it in a couple days. But good news, woke up this morning and it looks as though my gums have healed around the openings and the membrane no longer is showing... Think i might try to wear my retainer today! yeppy!!

Hi Dtown,

Yea, the surgeon should have been more clear with his instructions. The idea was to keep the retainer in for the first 24 hours to help minimize the swelling and then take it out to wash it, brush your teeth, then put it back in until bedtime the second night. If on the first day the area had swelled while wearing the retainer and it was uncomfortable, then it should have come out.

You did the right thing by not forcing it back in the next morning. So now that the swelling is down, it would be a good idea to try and wear the retainer during the day and take it out at bedtime. If it becomes too uncomfortable or you feel that it is pressing too much on those surgical areas, then take it out and go back for him to adjust it.

Glad you're feeling better!!
Bryanna