Dental Implant Bone Graft healing -What to Expect

In this video, I explain what you can expect after having a dental implant bone graft. I receive a lot of questions on a daily basis that I address in this blog post. Feel free to ask questions below!

I also have another video explaining how long it takes for bone grafts to heal.

Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.
Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry
Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Burbank, California

105 thoughts on “Dental Implant Bone Graft healing -What to Expect”

  1. Hello,

    I had bone graft surgery on an upper molar on Thursday 10/13/22. I was put on Clindamycin and Actaminophen-cod #3. I am still currently taking them. It seems to be healing fine, swelling has been reduced ,and minor pain. However, my tongue feels dry, it’s fuzzy and light shade of yellow. I also have bad breath. I initially thought it was due to the surgery or possibly medication, but should I be concerned? Should I contact my dentist? Could this be a sign of failure?

    Thank you,
    Adriana Garza

    Reply
    • I would see her dentist for a follow-up visit. Definitely brush your tongue. I am not a fan of clindamycin as it does not do as much as we think it does. Unless you are allergic to penicillin that is probably why they put you on it but there are better alternatives such as a cephalosporin. But you should definitely have a follow-up within 7-14 days of the procedure.

      Reply
      • Dr.Amin,

        Hello! Back in 2017 I had two wisdom teeth root canals done. It’s my wisdom teeth on my right side last year Both of the crowns popped off and the tooth became too soft for it to be fixed. Over the course of years, I’ve had several affections in both of those teeth. At the time of my bone graft an extraction there was an infection in my teeth. I took amoxicillin one hour before my procedure. But back to the back story..So my hygienist recommended I do a extraction, bone graft and dental implant.. so four days ago I did the tooth extraction on both of the wisdom teeth and a bone graft on both of those. The pain didn’t get really bad until 48 hours postop but the pain is so bad it’s not responding to any medication ( otc & prescribed) I am not having any bleeding, I am not having much swelling. It’s the pain that is really kicking my butt alongside that there is this bad odor coming from that area I taste it. Is it normal to be in pain like this? I went to a specialist, oral surgeon who has plenty of experience with this type of procedure. What do you suggest?

        Reply
        • Why are you having a bone graft done in a wisdom tooth?! Wisdom teeth should just be allowed to heal without any grafting at all except in extremely rare situations.

          You probably have a dry socket even though there is bone graft in there. It is not uncommon for pain to be at its peak 36-72 hours after the procedure. How are you doing now that it is about 7 days later? I also assume you have been on an antibiotic for the entire week?

          Reply
  2. Hello, Due to a failed root canal. I had to have my upper second from top back tooth removed. At removal it was discovered I had a whole in to my sinuses. Doctor put in collagen only and covered with a removable membrane. This remained in place for 8 weeks with no pain or issues. After membrane was removed I started experiencing pain in the site which caused headaches and pain in my sinuses in that area. I was put on antibiotics for 10 days ,and I am still having issues. Can you advise what the problem might be?

    Reply
    • Give it more time. If the problem still exists you ‘might’ have a Oroantral Communication.

      (OAC) is an abnormal communication between the maxillary sinus and the oral cavity. It may be the result of an extraction.

      Reply
  3. Hello Dr. Amin,

    Hoping you can offer advice. Had a root canal 3x treated finally give up and abscessed. Dentist and I both agreed an implant would be best bet, and my root had gotten close to the sinus cavity, presumably because of infection? Anyway, she extracted and placed bone graft with dissolvable membrane. 3 days post op, I was experiencing horrible taste and the membrane had become loose and came off, as well as sutures.

    Went back in and the Dr. flushed the graph with saline and put on non-resorbable membrane and non dissolvable sutures.

    Now today, 2 days after THAT, the new membrane has fallen out! I’m still experiencing a weird taste in mouth. I am on amoxicillin. What is causing this taste? And should I worry that my bone graft is exposed? I don’t feel pain, just a little sore around the gums. Little bits of graft are coming out every now and then, nothing major I don’t think. Thanks for any advice!

    Reply
    • Oof. I assume this is an upper molar that is close to the sinus based on your description. It will eventually heal and close over. I am not a fan of putting a new membrane on a few days after the first 1 fill out but I see the rationale. Likely it will heal fine but my guess is that he will need a sinus lift afterward. Is it a molar?

      Reply
      • Yes, it is a molar. The dentist didn’t mention needing a sinus lift. She was apprehensive about retreating the root canal because the infection was “close to the sinus”. She did not specify how close, but from what I could tell from my non medically trained eyes, there was several mm of space between the root and sinus bone on the x-ray she showed me.

        How does a sinus lift happen after Ben grafting? Is that not usually done before bone graft?

        Reply
  4. Dear Dr Amin,
    I am 13 days post a removal of tooth 9,10 and 13. #9 was an old crown that had a root canal but caused an abscess that turned into a cyst that eaten away buccaneering bone over 9 & 10, into the nasal area and sinuses. The cyst was about the size of a 50cent piece.
    It’s been very raw and the edema gets worse throughout the day. I have worn a partial on days 1,2,3,9&10. Days 9&10 for only 5 hours approximately. Day 10 it kept seeping a taste in my mouth and was painful.
    Had post op visit on day 7 all looked great. Now day 13 my upper lip nasal area is numb. Has been so edematous and raw on the roof of my gums. The feeling is moving over tooth # 8. I have been on amox 500 bid since the surgery. I just feel something isn’t right with this new numbness and increasing edema.

    Reply
    • You probably need another 10 days of antibiotics using a different antibiotic than you did the first time.

      Often these huge defects require additional grafting after this first one heals. 9 and 10 is always a tough replacement often taking many stages to get it to look great.

      I assume they told you it will take a least one year to finish?

      Reply
  5. Thanks for doing this video. Extremely helpful. Just had extraction and socket preservation. Not much pain but definitely experiencing bad taste and bad breath on post op day 3-4.

    Reply
  6. I had a upper tooth extracted. Dry socket and terrible pain. Switched oral surgeons. Had sinus puncture. Repaired sleuth membrane, then bone graft, then membrane. I’m ten days out. Still feeling zapping pain. Not Terrible, but I’m just so afraid that something is wrong! Can it take several weeks for pain to subside. I can see membrane material. All seems ok.

    Reply
  7. Hi-
    I had a sinus lift, bone graft and implant surgery done beginning of January 2021. I’ve been back a ew times and the surgeon tells me all is well. It is tooth #15 and the sinus lift was over #14 and #15. I feel like something is not right. My gums feel heavy and I have had a bad taste in my mouth. Did a CBCT about a week ago and said it looks good. My temp crown was on #14. I haven’t been feeling well get chills, body aches, etc. for at least a month as well as the weird taste in my mouth for even longer, but I am not sick, no fever although I don’t get fevers unless I am super sick. I was thinking of getting a second opinion as I go back in a few weeks to finalize the implant and then the crown is going to be made but I feel something is not right and want to make sure. Do you have any suggestions? The tooth #14 in front has been root canaled years and years ago and I went to the endodontist to make sure it is ok (with crown off) and my dentist took xrays and says it looks fine. Something is not right. If I had an infection I assume it would be seen. If you could please share your thoughts I would appreciate it. Thx!

    Reply
    • Unfortunately not all infections can be seen on x-ray or directly visualized. I am glad you saw endodontist to checkout #14. Even though this tooth has been cleared it is possible that it still has a problem. May be a second set of eyes should repeat your scan. You can have your dentist upload your scan to a oral and maxillofacial radiologist. They can do a full report and often can read things differently.

      Reply
  8. HI,
    Have you ever heard or seen a thrusting tongue from bone graft surgery?

    Keeps thrusting into my area and last night caused bleeding and really bad smell now.

    Pleas help

    Reply
  9. Hello Dr. Amin!

    I had an extraction and bone graft on tooth #3 (dead tooth preparing for implant) as well as an extraction of #17 (extensive caries) approximately 4 days ago. Pain has subsided, but I noticed a foul odor that I can smell. My family says they can smell it just from being in the same room as me! It smells like burnt skin/hair. I also noticed lots of yellow nasal discharge. The big concern for me is the odor. Should I be concerned or take any action? Thank you so much, Dr. Amin!

    Reply
      • Dr. Amin,

        I was prescribed Amoxicillin weeks back. There was such a large gap between diagnosis and treatment that the dentist thought I should take antibiotics to control infection in #3 (bone graft tooth). I do have a refill on amoxicillin. I am not currently taking an antibiotic post surgery right now as per instruction!

        Reply
      • I had a bone graft done on my right upper tooth. Since then I have had a gross taste in my mouth. I have been to my dentist twice, he says everything is healing great, but I still can’t get rid of the taste. Is this normal?

        Reply
        • I have this same exact issue. Horrible taste coming from the extraction site after bone graft (Tooth 31). It has been almost 3 months now. Mouth is always dry and the taste makes me nauseous sometimes. I have seen 2 dentists, 1 Endodonist, 1 oral Surgeon, and even a TMJ specialist. I’ve had multiple X-rays. Nobody can seem to determine a cause for the bad taste. They says it looks healed and normal. I recently went to my primary doctor and I will be doing some blood tests to check for signs of inflammation/infection in the jaw bone. Also a CT scan coming soon. I am at my wits end and I’m so frustrated and spending lots of money to see all these specialists to be told, “it looks fine”. I have done a lot of research online and a lot of people have this same problem but no one seems to ever have an answer or conclusion. To me, it seems the common denominator is the bone graft. Im wondering if it’s because it’s a “synthetic” bone graft? Maybe that is what is causing the taste as it does it’s job fusing to the natural jaw bone. Maybe since it’s “synthetic” is causing this taste? Does anyone have any thoughts on that?? I am actually considering having bone graft removed and use real bone instead?? Thoughts??

          Reply
          • Have the gum opened up and see if the bone graft actually worked. There is a chance it is still soft and will come out even though it may look fine on the x-ray.

            Also it is possible if you had Covid that the symptom can show up where are you taste a really gross taste for a long time.

            Do you have Covid?

          • Hello Friends! MY TASTE IS CURED!
            I read these comments several times as I was experiencing the exact same thing as Rachel.. Tooth 31, extraction, dental bone graft, and a horrible metallic taste for over two months I could not shake!

            I was on 3 rounds of antibiotics (clindamycin) unfortunately for the original infection, bone graft, and a slow healing process with bleeding where I was also on an antiseptic oral rinse called chlorhexidine mouthwash.

            So, after these I developed bacteria on my tongue.. it was not quite hairy black tongue, but brownish/yellow and after several days off brushing it looked pretty much normal with some longer papillae in the back of the tongue. I don’t usually brush my tongue and don’t know how long these are back there normally, but clearly hairy looking.

            Ok.. so at this point the metallic taste is still there and rancid, with me thinking the hairy tongue bacteria is gone or gone enough and I’m searching everything… So after two months I asked my dentist for an anti-fungal in case the bacteria/bacterial infection from the hairy tongue (cause by antibiotics or chlorhexidine rinse). He prescribed me NYSTATIN ANTI-FUNGAL rinse (and spit)..

            5 days later I’ve forgotten there was a bad taste, it’s gone after two months! And here I am posting. Hopefully this helps someone with the same issue. 🙂

        • Hi Robin, Isn’t it weird how there’s about five of us on this website with the same problem? We all have a bad taste coming from the extraction site where bone graft was done. I have done a lot of research and I am wondering if it’s the actual bone graft that is causing the taste. Have you had a resolution to your problem? I am very curious to know??

          Reply
          • I had #14 tooth out end of May 2021, I have the same bitter taste and it has affected all my taste and distorted it. I had a covid test twice and both tests negative. I started searching and found this! Called oral surgeon 2 weeks ago and said it wouldn’t be from bone graft, but reading all your comments, this is same story! Any suggestions

          • Similar situation. 9 days out. Losing my mind with the taste and smell. Makes me nauseous sometimes. Salty burned hair smell and taste. Same smell I smelled when he was putting the bone graft material in.

            Doc says everything is healing great, and he has done 100’s without hearing this complaint. Of course, the issue is what it is, and I’m glad some others can relate. For anyone who hasn’t experienced this, it is worse than it sounds–simply having a bad taste.

            I do get some sand granules in my mouth still. Membrane well intact 1 week out.

            Did my course of Amoxicillin and my mouth wash as directed.

  10. Hi Dr. Amin. I had #12 extracted yesterday with particle bone graft placed for future implant by a general dentist. Do membrane or suture was placed to keep bone in. My dentist immediately put in my temporary flipper and instructed me to wear it except at night. I read your thread about not wearing a flipper immediately after bone graft. I know this is your specialty and I’m being treated by a general dentist.

    Should I wear this flipper? I notice bone particles in my mouth when not wearing flipper but I’m scared that not having anything there, more and more bone particles will continue to fall out. (I know some falling out is to be expected)

    I worked as an oral surgery tech about 20 years ago in AZ with some great doctors so I’m pretty anxious in proceeding with dental implants with a General dentist. If you weren’t so far from me I would call to get
    Consult with you. Do you have any recommendations of other doctors with your skills in Lakewood 90715 area to do my implant or should I stay with the dentist that just performed my bone graft?

    Reply
    • Follow the recommendations of your DDS. I don’t know your specific circumstances.

      Best to do your due diligence on your own to know if your dentist has a lot of experience.

      It does not matter if they are a general dentist or not. Some general dentists 🦷 have tremendous experience and are excellent at Implants

      Reply
  11. I need help. I had a tooth extraction and bone graft completed four days ago. Last night at 9 pm pain became stronger than it had been with no relief with pain medication. My tooth area is hollow and black I think I see bone.

    Reply
  12. Hello Dr. Amin,

    I had an extraction of tooth #3, implant and bone grafting done all at the same time on March 15 due to an ongoing tooth infection. Today is 16 days out from my procedure. I have had very little pain throughout this process, thankfully. Only 3 different times during this process did I notice a tiny particle of bone come out of my incisions, and I was told by my doctor that this was perfectly normal. The swelling has gone down almost entirely and I have no acute pain or tenderness at all.

    Prior to my tooth extraction and implant and bone grafting I had a thermography done and I have lymph congestion, mostly on the right side, which my medical doctor thinks could be related to my tooth infection which was apparently present for more than a year. I am extremely active and work out on a rebounder daily. Because of my lymph congestion, I am very anxious to get started back on my rebounder but have been very hesitant for fear of dislodging my bone grafting and implant. I called my doctor and was told I could resume my workouts any time I wanted to as long as I was not taking the narcotics, which I never took.

    Today I started to resume a very careful “health bounce” on my rebounder and noticed a very, very slight ache in my jaw above my implant, so I immediately stopped bouncing. In your opinion, when should it be safe for me to restart my rebounder workouts?

    I am so grateful for your response.

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • How are you doing now? Certainly OK to resume vigorous exercise. It sounds like it’s been 2 to 3 weeks already!

      The pain on the bounce comes from the sinus membrane. This is very normal and should go away

      Reply
  13. Hi, I had my tooth extracted the one before the wisdom tooth on the top right and when I eat or drink bone graft comes out, is that supposed to happen? I’m getting an implant soon so I was wondering if the bone will grow and the bone graft is supposed to act as a fertilizer maybe? or do I need to see my dentist about more optionson what to do next?

    Reply
  14. I have 2 extractions with bone graphs on Monday today is Friday. Apparently there was an issue with the sinus dropping. I waws on antibiotics 5 days prior and have been on them for 5 days now and a steroid plus the mouth rinse. But I have this terrible metal taste in my mouth. Is that normal? Or should I be concerned?

    Reply
  15. Hello ! I had my tooth removed , the one before wisdom tooth ,on the bottom. Bovine bone graft was put in. It’s my third day after surgery. The taste in the mouth is awful and it’s coming from the surgical site. Pain is going away. I’m on 500mg amoxicillin 2*day. Very concern about the taste. It’s salty and bitter at the same time. Could it be an infection?

    Reply
  16. Hello! I had number 14 tooth extracted on Friday, today is Monday. I had the extraction, a bone graft and membrane(still attached). I am having minimal pain mostly from talking at work. The site where my tooth was pulled looks clean also. I did however start getting the gross taste in my mouth today. I have tried to read if I should be concerned and am getting conflicting information. I am on 500mg amoxicillin 3x a day. Could antibiotics be causing that taste? I also have rinsed salt water solution every day. Any help or thoughts would be great! Thanks!

    Reply
  17. I had an implant placed, the grafting, and a healing cap. This was done 12 days ago. Been healing fine, but for the past 4 days I have been experiencing the smell and taste. It is even worse when I am wearing my mask at work! Nothing hurts, no drainage, however I do have the white spongey stuff that I assume is the membrane. this is also the root of the smell and taste as I have put a q-tip on it and it is very strong at the area. I am done with my antibiotics, and i am supposed to go for a follow up on next week.
    This taste is making me nauseous through out the day and I am totally embarrassed! I will call tomorrow, but any clue as to why this is so foul?

    This is not my first experience with implants/grafting, but I do not recall this from my others.

    Reply
  18. I had #30 root removed and bone graph a week ago. Everything has been going well as normal. My question is I have I soft food In my stitches. I try to eat on the other side but I guess food stills moves over there. It’s probably pasta or rice. Should I be concerned it will cause infection?

    Reply
  19. Hi Dr!
    I had teeth 13,14 and 15 removed november 20th, 2019 due to infection caused by 3 bad root canals. Thinking back it had been infected about 12-14 years.. if even low grade in beginning. I had cadaver bone grafts put in, and 2 places patched on my sinus due to perforations caused by the infection. My whole sinus was infected.. and had been for who knows how long. It’s been about 6 weeks since my extraction.. and I still feel pressure come and go with that sinus. The surgical site appears to be healing fine.. no tendeness.. or looks of any infection on the outside. The periodontist said it looked good.. however she just peeked at it.. I still feel sinus pressure.. not as much as before extraction but it still feels like a problem.. my sinus is also draining some.. clear fluid.. and I can randomly smell something like a dead animal or something.. not very often.. maybe 5 or 10 times over the past month.. but considering the amount of infection that lingered up there behind those teeth for all that time, I’m worried there may be a small infection that has not gone away completely.. maybe not.. but I dont go back for my next checkup for about 14 weeks. Should I go back sooner for ex ray? Would she be able to see if there is still any infection with the 3D ex ray? Or does it take some time for the body to rid the remnants of infection? Maybe I should visit someone even more specialized to see what’s going on ? What are your thoughts ?

    Reply
      • Hi how are you? I currently like two days ago went to the dentist and had all my upper teeth pulled or what was remaining and am having all on four implants put in. Right now I just have the temporary denture but it does not fit right so I have to go back and get it re molded. My question is I am no longer bleeding I see some blood when I take the denture out to rinse and brush the denture and my bottom teeth. But I am getting a weird taste in my mouth and my breath smells. Should I be worried? I am not in any discomfort other than the initial putting the denture back in because it doesn’t fit right. Any help would be appreciated

        Reply
        • Hello, about a week ago I had my two lower wisdom teeth removed. They were impacting my molar so a bone graft was put in place. It has been around a week and I’m now off of my medication but have noticed a disgusting taste in my mouth, like rotten eggs. What is it? Should I be concerned?

          Reply
          • 😳 wisdom teeth do not require bone grafting. Only in extremely rare situations. Hmm.

            These typically heal very slow. I’m assuming you are on antibiotics and a mouth rinse called the chlorhexidine. Definitely see your dentist about this.

            Sorry

  20. I had bone graft powder put in for molar extraction. Nothing infected of swollen, says it looks great. But slight sour taste in mouth and it feels like I have a little piece of food in back where site is. I have a syringe and clean it out a couple times a day where the little slit is where tooth was. No bleeding what so ever either. I am just wondering how long this should go on. It does not hurt, just annoying. Only thing I ever feel is some pressure there if I ride bike hard or lift weights.

    Reply
    • Hmm 🤔 if it is still like this after 6-8 weeks you should be checked. You are likely losing bone. Not a fan of the irrigating syringe either

      Reply
      • Thanks. I did go back to oral surgeon but he said it looks like it is healing even a little better than normal. May just be food. He said food gets in and out of that little thing. So you think no syringe, just the post surgery soft brush for that area?

        Reply
        • Hey Scott,

          I’m actually having the same problem currently and came across your comment. If you’re willing to share, I’m curious as to what ended up happening with your bone graft — was it infected? Or did the sour taste end up being nothing of concern?

          Thanks.

          Reply
  21. Hi so I had a extraction and bone graft for implant a week ago. It is constant throbbing pain and a horrible smell from the stitches. Is that normal? Why is the pain so unbearable a week later. The doctor didn’t tell me to expect this. I have been taking the antibiotics and using the mouth wash.

    Reply
    • you need to be seen for follow-up. Something sounds wrong. I am guessing that this was a lower molar. There are times that the dentist will do everything right and patient will have tremendous amount of pain but that is the exception rather than the normal.. I hope you get well soon

      Reply
  22. I had periodontal surgery 40 years ago. I had extractions, sinus lift, bone grafts and implants on #13,14, 3, 4 (Nov. 2014- June 2016) Sour, unhealthy taste in #13, 14 before implants. Panoramic x-ray and individual x-rays. Crown bridge was removed. Open flap gum surgery March 2018. Told implants are sturdy. Still have bad taste. Hesitate to put screw retained crown bridge back on. What else could be causing the bad taste?

    Reply
    • Something obviously isn’t right. You probably need to have a second opinion. Brush, floss then WaterPik in that order. Brush for 4 minutes!!

      Reply
  23. Hello!

    I had my left 2 wisdom teeth taken out on Friday 6/29 and #30 was extracted and a bone graft put in. My pain is pretty much gone at this point (just some discomfort and I can “feel” the areas sometimes but no pain at all.

    However my I don’t personally smell it, but my mom was able to smell bad odor when she got close to me (she was looking at my bone graft spot as I had a question for her) and she said it smelled bad. She said it smelled like if you get dental work done, best way she could describe it.

    Is it normal to have odor like this?

    I visited my OS on Thursday 7/5 he said everything looked good, no signs of infection and took the stitches out of the bone graft area. I did notice there is some redness in the bone graft area near the tooth behind and tooth in front of the bone graft and I feel like the amount of bone graft is less than when I got it put in.

    Sorry mainly about the odor, but thought I’d mention the above also.

    Thanks in advance!

    Reply
  24. Dr Amin ,i had an extraction two weeks ago ,and as dr said it ,a bone graft .I was in pain for all this time and still am (now it is more like an ear pain in that side rather than the whole entire head),I was put on antibiotics to prevent infection wright after ,and for a few days now,I have a sour taste in my mouth coming from that tooth.I can still see a big chunk of white stuff(bone I guess),and the area is very tender and still inflamed.I have not been eating for 12 days to keep that area clean(only drinking soup and yogurt).Do you think that I should let my dr know about it ?It is all this normal?

    Reply
  25. Hi Dr, I have a server bone lost in my lower jaw, where my four from teeth are. Do I need bone graft or can be fix with a deep cleaning?

    Reply
    • That depends. If you have really long teeth roots than perhaps you may be able to keep your teeth longer. You need a complete dental exam, x-rays and a workup for proper treatment plan and long-term maintenance.

      Reply
  26. My 85 year old mom has a tooth loose top front. Dental surgeon gave her antibiotics and three days later bone into gum/jaw then eight weeks later they told her she come back for check up and put post in then tooth. I’ve heard this entire procedure takes many months. Does this sound right?

    Reply
  27. Hi Dr, last Thursday I had all my teeth removed and a bone graft put in on the top, the pain has subsided but I still get the throbing pain and the denture I received I can’t wear as yet cause they hurt, I have tons of stitches, my question sorry took so long to get to but is this normal??? I had a very bad experience as a child with the dentist

    Reply
  28. I had two teeth removed #14 and 15 almost six months ago due to a bad root canal where the roots were severed, infected and in my sinus, therefore causing a chronic sinus infection. I am getting an implant in #14 but not 15. It seems as though 15 was infected for many years. I am still having sinus issues and have been to 4 different ENT’s who have said I don’t have sinus disease.i am still having pain, redness and pieces of bone coming out of where 15 was extracted and I have a bitter taste that seems to be coming from that area. I had a sinus CT and it said there may be root remnants left in my sinus. I have been back to the oral surgeon 4 times saying it doesn’t feel right. He says nothing is wrong. I still feel like I did when I had the tooth infection. Is it normal after 6 months to feel like that?

    Reply
    • This is not normal. I would suggest you have the skin red by an oral and maxillofacial radiologist rather than just your surgeon or ENT physician. Sometimes in some unique cases I will have a radiologist read it because they can pick up unusual things.

      Perhaps it is another tooth like to number 13?

      The gum should be complete pink and fully healed if not it should be reopened.

      Reply
  29. I have to have 4 teeth extracted in my upper jaw and was looking to replace the front #8 with an implant and do a partial for the others # 3, 14, 15. The procedure is going to cost about 10,000. Should I consider fixed dentures instead. I don’t think the other teeth on my upper are in that great of shape. What is the typical cost of fixed dentures?

    Reply
  30. I had one front lower tooth extracted last year without any bone grafting done by my dentist. The tooth beside that started getting lose, moved to another dentist only to be told i am going through advanced periodontics. Now got another 3 tooth extracted and bone graft done in that area, wore my temporary for a week until my 1st post-op. Noticed there was already a hole developing w/sutures still around the site where the 1st tooth was extracted last year…Asked the doc at the periodontics office (my doctor wasn’t working that day), said no issues. Couple of days later was passing my, again showed it to the Nurse, she also seems to think its fine. A week later now, sutures gone and hole clearly visible, the walls gone concave, any cold water in that area get a tingy feeling. Is this case of bone graft failure?

    Reply
  31. I had my tooth pulled after a failed root canal on 2/26 . It’s the upper second to last on my left. They put in cadaver bone that was like a course wet sand and stitched it up and removed the stitches on 3/4.

    They said it was healing well but still had some more healing to do; the taste in my mouth prior to stitches being removed and now is honestly like a dead animal – is this normal, if so, how long do you think it will last – I am avoiding people because if the smell is anything like the taste I can’t imagine being on the receiving end of my breath.

    Thanks

    Brian

    Reply
    • this is not typical. I would advise that you have another follow-up appointment with your dentist. You may have a low-grade bone infection.

      Reply
    • I had this as well and its an infection of some sort, usually what they’ll do is give you an antibacterial mouthwash type deal and just swish day and night day and night until it subsides, if not then there might be a bigger problem but I doubt it can’t be fixed… Usually takes about… Maybe two weeks max for it to go away

      Reply
  32. Hello Doc,
    I have had my teeth implant around 8 weeks ago and in total I had 7 teeth implants. Also my front teeth have been rubbed/scratched and have put artificial denture. I am having too much extra saliva problem and have to spit at least 40 – 50 times in a day. Is it because of titanium implants or artificial denture. Please reply.

    Reply
    • The excessive saliva is due to your adaptation to the dentures. It is not uncommon for this to occur with acrylic denture teeth especially if it covers your palate. I’m hoping you’re having a fixed bridge on your dental implants such as individual teeth, Bridges or a full arch restoration like the Prettau dental implant bridge

      Ramsey Amin DDS

      Reply
  33. Dr Amin, Had a real hard time with my two implants. During the three month wait healing time I experienced a lot of discomfort. Had to be on antibiotics for several weeks. About two weeks before I got the okay to have the implants (teeth) put in I noticed a salty taste in my mouth/lips. I asked my oral surgeon and dentist if this could be a reaction to titanium implants, they both said no! It has now been three weeks since I got my teeth and I am experiencing some minor discomfort in that area (tooth 13 and 14) when I chew. Yesterday I noticed on the side of my gum (outside near cheek) a small puffy area and very tender when I push with my finger. Still have this awful salty taste too. What do you think is going on?? Also I should add I have been on prednisone for over a year due to a medical condition. I know it can slow the healing process.

    Reply
    • Hello Donna,

      It sounds like you has a dental infection regardless of you being on antibiotics.
      I would have a dentist take a culture of the area and sent it to a lab to determine what type of antibiotic is going to be effective to treat this infection. This generally takes a few days to get results back. At that point the antibiotic could be changed to see if that helps. Not all infections are responsive to antibiotics. If the infection is allowed to continue you may lose the dental implants and the associated bone.

      Some people get bone loss without any reason whatsoever. The salty taste is a little bit strange and is not likely related to the actual titanium.

      Prednisone can also be a factor in developing a dental infection and slowing are healing as you had mentioned.

      Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.
      Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry
      Fellow-American Academy of Implant Dentistry

      Reply
  34. HiDr Amin,I had a socket bone graph after infected tooth extraction 4 and a half months ago,I had a checkup and dr.said I could go ahead and set up surgery forthe implant,I am having thick excessive saliva and the center of the graph still doesnt look completely closed,dr. said exray showed bone grew ,but Im concerned that the gum didnt completely close over graph,Does this sound right to continue on with implant?Thankyou,Laura

    Reply
    • Hi Laura,

      What you are experiencing is not uncommon. The saliva part is probably not connected.

      Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.
      Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry
      Fellow-American Academy of Implant Dentistry

      Reply
      • Dr.Amin,With the gums not completely closed do you think I should continue with implant,My cheek feels funny on that side,Im worried I have some sort or infection that he doesnt see(maybe in jaw)

        Reply
  35. Hi Dr.Amin,I had and extraction and bonegraph of a rootcanal tooth #30 with crack,chronic infection and boneloss 6 weeks ago(I believe a difficult extraction) and had antibiotics (precaution)right after extraction-One week post op stitches were taken out and I started getting a strange salty taste and a lot of salivaAt about 2 weeks post op the membrane was falling off,and there was a lump under where tooth was(on cheek side)Dr said he didnt see any actice infection but put my on another antibiotic.About 5 weeks post op went back to Dr. because still have bad taste and can see white of bone coming out of socket-Dr. said that it was extra bonegraph that may work its way out and didnt see active infection(He did give me another antibiotic script that I could fill at my discretion)Which I didnt fill-I wasnt sure if I should.Could you please tell me if this is all normal?Thank you Laura

    Reply
    • Hi Laura,

      What you are experiencing is within the range of normal. Most socket bone grafts for dental implants heal fast, but a few are slow like yours. I would definitely take the antibiotics as directed. It will heal but it sound like yours will take much longer than normal. Quit smoking if you are a smoker.

      😉 Dr. Amin.

      Reply
    • Hi I had a cracked root canal in my upper right jaw removed and the titanium base put in for a implant, however I now have a really bad taste in my mouth from the mucus is that normal is smells really bad .. I have never had this taste or smell kinda rotten.. but no pain should I be worried it’s been 4 days since ..

      Reply

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