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How long after a bone graft can you get an implant? Question

A bone graft needs at least 3 months to heal before an implant. A large graft can take 9 to 12 months. The implant should ideally go in within 6 to 12 months after the graft heals, or the new bone may shrink. If you already have enough bone, no graft is needed.

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What to know

  • After the implant is placed, the jawbone takes about 3 to 9 months to fuse to it.
  • Swelling and bruising after a graft usually clear in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Smoking makes graft failure more likely.

Sources

  1. Cleveland Clinic: Dental Bone Graft
  2. Cleveland Clinic: Dental Implants

Reviewed by , Director of IT and Medical Compliance: 25 years in dentistry, medicine and HIPAA compliance. Updated . Checked against the sources listed. General information, not medical advice.

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