Bone Graft Infection: Signs, Treatment & When to Panic

Dental bone grafting has a high success rate (around 90–95%), but infection remains one of the main complications patients fear.

Many patients panic when they feel increasing pain, swelling, or notice that their teeth seem to get worse day by day after surgery.

The key question is:
Is this normal healing — or a real infection?

What Is a Bone Graft Infection?

Dental bone grafting is a predictable procedure with a 90–95% success rate worldwide. However, studies consistently show a 5–10% failure rate — even when performed correctly.

One critical reason?
Not all patients are medically qualified for bone graft surgery.

Proper screening before surgery significantly reduces complications, implant failure, and legal disputes.

Bone grafting rebuilds jawbone volume before placing dental implants. It may involve:

• Autograft (patient’s own bone)

Bone grafting is not a one-day transaction.

It is a construction project inside your jaw.

Many Filipino patients start strong on Day 1.
By Month 3, nawalan ng gana.
By Month 6, budget gone.
By Month 8, project abandoned.

Let’s break this down like a real construction timeline.