Told I need tooth extraction and bone graft...terrified!!

[Mari1967]

Good Morning,

I have always had problems with plaque below the gumline and have had scalings done in the past. The problem I am having now is that my two front teeth on the bottom have deteriorated and the bone and gums are deteriorating too and the dentist thinks a bone graft is in order.

The reason for the bone graft is to rebuild the bone so that I will be able to get implants in the future.  I am ok with him saying this and I have had second opinions.

My problem is that I am scared out of my wits.

Does this sort of surgery require the patient to be unconscious? (a fear of mine), is this a common procedure? and what kind of recovery time am I looking at?

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this.

Mari

[tatala]

A related discussion, What to eat after dental surgery and for how long? was started.

[spur-star33]

I Have had white lines appearing around the edge of my tongue mostly on the tip and mainly after stress would you have any idea what this would be.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

You do not need to have sedation anesthesia. This procedure can be done using local anesthesia.Yes it is a common procedure  and the recovery period varies from person to person but it probably will not incapacitate you for an extended period of time.I would think that your major discomfort will last one or two days.