Are Dental Bone Grafts Painful?

Dental bone grafts are a common procedure often performed before the installation of dental implants. They are routine, out-patient procedures, which are performed by dentists everywhere. If you have been told you need to have a dental bone graft performed, you may have questions, including one of the most common questions: are dental bone grafts painful? Read on to learn more about the bone grafting procedure and what type of pain and discomfort you should expect from it.

Why are dental bone grafts performed?

One of the most common and popular forms of tooth replacement are dental implants. These prosthetic teeth look, feel, and function like natural ones, which is what makes them so popular. They are permanently installed in the mouth and anchored to the jawbone using a post, which the prosthetic tooth is attached to.

Dental bone grafts are commonly performed as a part of the dental implant. When someone loses a tooth, the jawbone begins to deteriorate. Over time, this can lead to significant loss of bone thickness, which ultimately would prevent the jawbone from supporting the post of the implant. To anchor a dental implant, there needs to be sufficient jawbone thickness for the screw to fuse with. When bone thickness is too little, additional bone must be added through a bone grafting procedure. They help ensure that the implant has the best chance of success in the mouth and that it fuses appropriately with the jawbone to support the prosthetic. It is important to note that not everyone who needs dental implants also needs bone grafting. Your dentist will be able to tell you if and why you need a bone graft.

Are dental bone grafts painful?

Although the procedure might sound painful, thankfully it is not. You will be sedated for the whole bone grafting procedure, meaning you will not be aware of what is happening and therefore will feel no discomfort. Following the procedure, it is normal to feel slight discomfort in the areas where the procedure was performed, but this is usually manageable. Your dentist may prescribe pain relievers to help manage any discomfort.  Each patient and procedure are unique though, so everyone’s experience and tolerance for pain will be unique to that person. In general, pain from the procedure is manageable.

The recovery time for bone grafting varies based on several factors. The typical recovery can take between 2 weeks and 2 months. A patient’s overall health, age, and habits factor into the recovery time as well as the invasiveness of the procedure. Any discomfort or pain from the procedure will usually go away within a few days following the procedure.

What are my next steps?

If you need dental implants and have been told that you need a bone graft, do not worry. It is a very common procedure performed on patient’s daily. Speak with your dentist today to learn more about their philosophy of pain management and what you might be able to expect with your unique bone grafting experience.

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