Dental Bone Graft
 

Last year I had two dental implants put in. One implant was successful, but the other implant got infected and failed. In preparation for a new implant to be put in, a bone graft had to be performed because there wasn't enough bone left. My bone graft took place one week ago and is healing well. I just visited my oral surgeon today and he told me that everything looks good. However, I learned that I had been taking the antibiotics I was prescribed more infrequently than I should have been. There is a little bit of swelling and pain where the bone was grafted to, and while my surgeon was looking there he seemed a little concerned (that's when he asked if I had been taking my antibiotics). Is this swelling and pain normal, as its only been a week since the surgery? When I had the infection last time, it started out with pain and swelling, so I am very nervous that I have another infection. The pain is not extreme, but still noticeable, specifically when pressed on slightly. Does this sound like an infection? Last time, a sore formed on my gums and it had to be drained. What should I be looking for to make sure everything is healthy? I am going back for another check up in a week, but I want to be extra careful and diligent this time because I don't need any more problems!

Hi Sundaybest,

By any chance are either of these implants replacing extracted root canaled teeth? If so, what was the dental history on these teeth?

It is difficult to determine if there is infection or not just one week post op unless you had significant swelling and pain. So more time is needed to see what happens. It is important to take the antibiotic as prescribed and avoid eating on that area.

If your symptoms increase within the next couple of days, then see your oral surgeon before your next scheduled appointment.

Bryanna

Thanks for replying Bryanna! The implants are being put in because I never had the adult teeth (there was nothing wrong, the teeth were just never there to begin with). I'm going to see my surgeon next week so hopefully everything will be alright! However I looked today and it it almost looks like a tiny sore is beginning to form, so I'm definitely going to be talking to him sooner!

Hi Sundaybest,

Okay so you were congenitally missing teeth. By any chance are these your upper laterals? If not, what teeth are they replacing?

Did you have orthodontia to create space for these implants to be put in?

Replacing congenitally missing teeth with dental implants can be a bit tricky because the bone in these areas is compromised due to the fact that there was no tooth there before. It can be done successfully in many cases and is becoming more popular due to the various size options in dental implants.

You may be developing a canker sore.... not uncommon. These usually occur 3-7 days after oral surgery and can become very sore for a few days before it subsides. But if you feel that it is more than that... please see your dentist.

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna, I went back to my surgeon's about a week after my surgery and he said everything looked good. Two weeks later I went back and when he looked in my mouth he found that it looked like I had gotten an infection (again!).

He quickly removed the screw and flushed out the infection and told me that it was just the screw that had gotten infected and also that the screw may have been irritating the tissue, but that the graft looked good still and that everything should be alright. I am now taking antibiotics four times a day. It's been about three days since the screw was removed and I'm having a bit of a strange sensation where it was removed from.
It's not exactly pain or discomfort, but just an odd sensation that I notice. It's hard to explain. The best way I can describe it is just that I feel it (it's not a feeling of the stitch that was put in rubbing against my mouth or something like that). Anyways, I'm paranoid that something is going wrong again, as I clearly haven't had any good luck thus far. Any advice? Thanks!

Hi Sundaybest,

The awareness that you feel could be inflammation or something else. I really could not speculate as to what it might be. If you are concerned about about it then it would be wise to see your oral surgeon.

Sorry I couldn't be of help to you with this..
Bryanna

Hi I'm wondering why your oral surgeon is using either mesh or screws to hold in the graft. This would typically be done if the facial or lingual wall was gone. In your case these teeth were never there so that bone should be intact. Also after removing your failed implant the site should have been cleaned and left to heal on its own. Your body will replace the missing bone on its own. Unless he placed the implant in a narrow site and blew out a wall while placing it or did he tap up your sinus? Signs of infection is bad taste swelling puss pain.

Flkeulargo,

This person was congenitally missing these teeth. Which means she had an anomaly in the bone being that there was little height or width to the bone in those areas especially as she went through the ortho. Bone will naturally fill in but the surgeon is basically relying on the graft material to encourage the growth of new bone for the implants to integrate into. This can be challenging in an adult patient more so than a teenager due to the decreased rate of natural bone growth and healing factors.

I agree that the site where the implant failed should have been thoroughly cleaned out during the removal of that implant and left to heal for several weeks or so before attempting to do it again. I am not clear on the sequence of events based on what this patient posted here. So maybe that did take place and she didn't explain it that way...??

I hope this person posts again and updates us on her present status!

Bryanna