POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOCKET PRESERVATION BONE GRAFTING
Will I need gauze?
There is no gauze needed, we did NOT place gauze over your graft site. Your graft site is delicate and can be irreparably harmed by gauze going on and off the site.
What do I do if it’s bleeding?
If it is bleeding, please do the following: Sit and relax, use ice compressed to your face, minimise talking and If bleeding doesn’t reduce after 1 hour of following the above instructions, please contact our clinic.
Bad or unpleasant taste in mouth?
We have infused your graft with antibiotics. We do this so that any bacteria left in the site prior to the graft, or any bacteria that may try to get into the site, will encounter the antibiotic and die. This is done as a preventative measure to help keep your graft from becoming infected. The antibiotic may slowly leach out and give you a bad taste. If this happens, gently rinse your mouth with salt water.
Graft particles
Your graft is comprised of hundreds and hundreds (possibly thousands) of very small bone graft particles. They are condensed tightly into the surgery site. The particles closest to the surface of the graft are the least tightly packed (they have nothing above them but membrane!). It is common, and even expected that your graft may exfoliate 2, 3, or 4 particles here and there. These are particles that have not been incorporated into the main, clotted body of the graft. If they did not exfoliate, they would become trapped in the gum tissue as it heals. If you notice a significant number of graft particles all at once please contact our clinic.