Block bone graft (from chin) after failed dental implant surgery: now the tooth is exposed. What to do? (photos)

Question

What do I do about it? I saw a maxilla-facial surgeon last week who just told me to wait and rinse out but it just seems to be getting worse. I am in the US (in SF and going to NYC tomorrow). I have attached the picture (from my dentist) a week ago and the selfie today

H. Ryan Kazemi, DMD · Answer

Exposure of bone from block bone graft is certainly a risk and it is often due to tension over the incision line. Once exposed, the prognosis will depend on amount of exposure, quality of soft tissue, and stability of the overall block. Small exposure may be overcome by conservative debridement and irrigation. Larger exposure often result in failure of the bone block which will have to be removed. A close follow up with your oral surgeon and monitoring is a good idea.

Brian Dorfman, MD, DMD · Answer

Exposure of a bone graft most likely will require some debridement of the exposed bone. When bone is exposed it has lost its blood supply and will not heal because the exposed area is "dead."This does not mean that the entire graft is failed so your surgeon will need to remove the exposed portion until he/she sees healthy bleeding bone. At that point the tissue should cover the graft and allow it to continue healing

Block bone graft (from chin) after failed dental implant surgery: now the tooth is exposed. What to do? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

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Block bone graft (from chin) after failed dental implant surgery: now the tooth is exposed. What to do? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.