Recovery after a dental bone graft or a sinus lift happens in two stages. First, the gum heals over the area. New bone then grows around the graft material over several months. Healing varies, so your surgeon will explain the timing for your case.
Short answer: After a dental bone graft, the gum usually heals within 10–14 days, and the bone usually rebuilds over 3–6 months. After a sinus lift, the graft usually joins the natural bone over 4–9 months. The clinic recommends a check-up and CBCT scan 4 months after surgery.
On this page:
- Healing after a dental bone graft
- Recovery after a sinus lift
- Pain, swelling and bruising
- When to contact your dentist
If you had an implant placed at the same visit, please also read our instructions after dental implant surgery.
Healing after a dental bone graft
A bone graft adds material to the jaw where the bone is too thin. The material acts as a framework for new bone to grow. You can read more about the procedure on the page about dental bone grafting at True Smile.
| When | What usually happens | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | The anaesthesia wears off. The area may ooze a little blood. | Do not eat or drink for 2 hours. Use a cold compress for the first 3 hours: 5 minutes on, 5 minutes off. |
| Days 2–5 | Swelling may appear on days 2–3. It usually starts to go down by day 3–4. | Eat soft food that is not hot for 3 days. Avoid saunas, hot baths and hard exercise for 3 days. |
| Weeks 1–2 | The gum usually closes over the area within 10–14 days. | Come to your follow-up visit. Your surgeon will tell you when the stitches come out. |
| Months 3–6 | New bone grows around the graft material. Bone healing and integration usually take 3–6 months. | Keep the appointments your surgeon has planned. |
| Around 4 months | Your surgeon assesses how the bone is healing. | Come for a check-up and a CBCT scan. Your surgeon then decides whether the bone is ready for an implant. |
Healing time is different for every patient. It depends on the type of graft and on your general health. Smoking and diabetes can slow healing. Following the aftercare rules below helps the area heal.
If the graft was placed right after a tooth extraction
A graft placed in the socket after an extraction can help preserve the shape of the jaw for a future implant. If you had both procedures, follow your surgeon’s instructions and also read our instructions after tooth extraction.
Recovery after a sinus lift
During a sinus lift, the surgeon places bone graft material under the floor of the maxillary sinus. This sinus is the air space above the upper back teeth. The general aftercare rules on this page apply after a sinus lift too. The sinus also needs a few extra rules, which are listed below. You can read about the procedure on the page about sinus lift surgery.
Extra rules for the sinus
For 3 weeks after a sinus lift:
- do not puff out your cheeks;
- do not rinse your mouth with force;
- do not play wind instruments.
Your surgeon may give you more rules for your case, for example about blowing your nose, sneezing, flying or swimming. Please ask about them before you leave the clinic.
Sinus lift recovery week by week
| When | What usually happens | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| First days | Most patients have a few days of mild to moderate discomfort and swelling. A stuffy nose or a little blood from the nose is possible. | Follow the aftercare rules and the sinus rules. Use a cold compress for the first 3 hours. |
| Weeks 1–2 | Swelling should be going down. Your surgeon checks the area at a follow-up visit. | Call the clinic if the swelling does not go down after 5 days. |
| 2 weeks after | The bone is still healing, even if you feel better. | Keep following the sinus rules. They last 3 weeks. |
| Months 4–9 | The graft usually joins the natural bone over 4–9 months. | Come for a check-up and a CBCT scan at around 4 months. Your surgeon will decide whether the bone is ready for an implant. |
Temporary nasal congestion or sinus irritation may occur. Blood-tinged discharge from the nose is also possible. If you had an implant placed during the sinus lift, please also read our instructions after dental implant surgery.
Pain, swelling and bruising: what is normal
Some discomfort after bone grafting or a sinus lift is a normal reaction of the body to surgery. These sensations are normal:
- Pain. The area may hurt. Painkillers usually control the pain.
- Swelling. Swelling can sometimes be large. It may appear on days 2–3 and usually starts to go down by day 3–4.
- Fever, bruising and a stiff jaw. A short fever up to 38 °C may occur. Bruising is possible, and opening the mouth may be limited or painful.
- Numbness. The face or the treated area may feel numb or different for a while.
- Oozing. A little oozing from the area is normal. After a sinus lift, blood-tinged discharge from the nose is possible.
After a sinus lift, a stuffy nose or temporary sinus irritation may occur. Contact the clinic promptly if you notice unusual nasal discharge or sinus pressure.
Aftercare: what to do and what to avoid
These rules apply after both a bone graft and a sinus lift. After a sinus lift, please also follow the extra rules for the sinus.
Food and drink
- Do not eat or drink for 2 hours after surgery.
- For the first 3 days, eat soft food. The food should not be hot or irritating.
Cold compress
- For the first 3 hours, hold a cold compress on your face over the treated area.
- Wrap it in a cloth or a napkin. Keep it on for 5 minutes, then take it off for 5 minutes.
Brushing and rinsing
- Do not touch, clean or rinse the surgical area yourself.
- Keep brushing your other teeth well. Use a new toothbrush.
- Do not use a water flosser (irrigator) near the treated area.
- Your surgeon will tell you when you can start to clean the area gently. If you need a rinse, your surgeon will tell you which one and when to start.
Activity and work
- For 3 days, avoid saunas, hot baths, tanning beds and hard physical activity.
- Ask your surgeon when you can go back to work. The answer depends on the size of the surgery and on how physical your job is.
Smoking and alcohol
- Do not drink alcohol, especially while you take medicines.
- Try not to smoke, because smoking can slow healing. If you cannot stop, smoke no more than 5 cigarettes a day.
Medicines
- Take all medicines exactly as your doctor prescribed.
When to contact your dentist
Please contact the clinic if you notice any of these signs:
- pain that persists or worsens beyond 5 days;
- bleeding that lasts longer than 24 hours;
- swelling that does not go down after 5 days;
- any doubts or worries about how the area is healing.
If the bleeding is heavy, come to the clinic straight away.
Signs that the graft may not be healing as expected
Only your surgeon can check how the graft is healing. Please contact the clinic if:
- the swelling starts to grow again after it has gone down;
- bad breath does not go away;
- you have unusual nasal discharge or sinus pressure after a sinus lift.
When to go to a hospital
Go to a hospital emergency department if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing. Go there too if the swelling spreads towards the eye or the neck, or if the bleeding does not stop. These problems need hospital care, whether or not our clinic is open.
How to contact us
Call us on +971 2 550 2900 or write to us on WhatsApp. The clinic is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00 and on Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. We are not a 24-hour clinic. You can read more about emergency dental care in Abu Dhabi at True Smile.
Follow-up visits and next steps
Your dentist will decide when you need to come for follow-up visits. At these visits, the surgeon checks the area until the stitches are removed.
The clinic recommends that you return 4 months after surgery for a dental check-up and a CBCT scan. The scan shows the jawbone in 3D. It helps your surgeon assess the bone and plan the next stage of treatment. You can read how a dental CBCT scan is done in our blog.
Your surgeon will decide when the bone is ready for the next step of treatment with dental implants. You can also read how two-stage implant treatment works.
This guide describes how healing usually goes. If something feels different, please contact the clinic. Your doctor will decide whether you need to come in for a check.
FAQ
How long does a dental bone graft take to heal?
A dental bone graft heals in two stages. The gum usually closes over the area within 10–14 days. The bone usually rebuilds over 3–6 months. The clinic recommends a check-up and CBCT scan 4 months after surgery.
What are the stages of dental bone graft healing?
The timeline below groups dental bone graft healing into four stages. In the first days, some swelling and oozing are normal. The gum usually heals within 10–14 days. Over the following months, new bone grows around the graft material. At the 4-month check-up, your surgeon assesses the bone and plans the next step.
How long does swelling last after a bone graft?
Swelling after a bone graft may appear on days 2–3. It usually starts to go down by day 3–4. If the swelling does not go down after 5 days, please contact the clinic.
Is bruising normal after a sinus lift?
Bruising after a sinus lift is possible, and it is a normal reaction to surgery. Please contact the clinic if the bruising comes with swelling that does not go down after 5 days.
What should I expect 2 weeks after a sinus lift?
Two weeks after a sinus lift, the bone is still healing, even if you feel better. The sinus rules still apply for one more week. Do not puff out your cheeks, rinse with force or play wind instruments until 3 weeks have passed.
Is it normal to have pain after a bone graft or sinus lift?
Some pain after a bone graft or sinus lift is normal. Painkillers usually control it. Please contact the clinic if the pain persists or worsens beyond 5 days.
When can I get an implant after a bone graft or sinus lift?
The implant timing depends on how the bone has healed. After a bone graft, the bone usually rebuilds over 3–6 months. After a sinus lift, it usually takes 4–9 months. At the 4-month check-up, your surgeon assesses the bone with a CBCT scan and decides on implant timing.
