This is somewhat a technical question and might be difficult to answer. Basically, I had my teeth extracted three weeks ago and am wearing a temporary denture in preparation for implants. I had some bone loss, so they did some grafts in my mandible. (I'm not 100% sure what kind, but I believe, after doing a little reading and from things they said, that it was probably an allograft powder.)
My question is this: how can I best maximize my own bone growth? Again, I did a little reading, and so now I am supplementing with Omega-3s via flaxseed, hemp, and chia in my morning smoothies; 600mg daily of highly bioavailable calcium, 80mcg of vitamin K (plus I have a little spinach almost every day), vitamin C, and vitamin D3. I also am trying to up the protein in my diet, which is hard because honestly, with the denture, I don't feel like eating a lot. I don't smoke. I've mostly given up pop and have maybe one weekly.
Is there anything else I should be doing/taking/eating to help with bone regeneration? Does chewing help (sort of like resistance training for the jaw)?
Huge thanks in advance to anyone who has the info! I'm determined to do everything I can to make this successful.
Hi,
Good idea. Just be sure your gum has healed over the graft. Most bone grafts are reconstituted dried bone, commonly called "bone in a bottle". The consistency is like cream of wheat. Give it a chance to heal a bit before you try and stimulate growth so you don't pull it out.
Good luck and I hope you will love your implants as much as I love mine.
CoEnzyme Q10 is supposed to be really good for your gums. I took it after my implant surgery and I really think it helped with the tissue healing. Take it with your omega 3's for the best absorption, as oil apparently helps it absorb.
Hi,
Good idea. Just be sure your gum has healed over the graft. Most bone grafts are reconstituted dried bone, commonly called "bone in a bottle". The consistency is like cream of wheat. Give it a chance to heal a bit before you try and stimulate growth so you don't pull it out.
Thanks, Gellia. Excellent advice. My gums, fortunately, have completely healed over the graft and extraction sites. Of course they're still a little tender with pressure (I checked and that's apparently normal) but I heal pretty quickly, typically. I guess now I just need to figure out where I can find Freedent.
Of course I need to have the dentist take a look, but now I'm thinking I may have to go back in before I intended for a new soft liner because where I had my bridge before, along the lower front, is changing. It was very thin bone, and they put grafts on either side of it for the eventual implants ... but it's now changing between the grafts. I am guessing the bone is filling in; when I feel it with my tongue now it feels quite a bit more substantial, not so delicate. But that area of the denture is now getting a little crowded, and it's a bit tender (maybe because the denture is squeezing it a bit, maybe because it's "growing," I dunno). I'm pretty happy about it.
Enhancing bone regrowth? 
I'm determined to do everything I can to make this successful.
