Bone Graft: Can Singing Activity Cause a Failure?

Gloria Asks:

I have had bone graft done and an infection occurred. The decision was made to wait the four months before removing the gortex. When the gortex was removed, it was found that while the infection did not get out of hand, the bone graft did not take and had to be redone.

My question is this: I am in two choirs, did the singing activity (rehersals are two hours long) have anything to do with the failure of the bone graft? Also, I am a grinder does that have anything to do with the failure? Does an activity like singing everyday for hours have an effect in the healing process? I wondering should I stop singing and drop out of the choirs for awhile? What else causes bone graft failure?

Answered by: Dr. David Weinstein

New York, NY

A simple answer is no, singing would not cause a bone graft or implant failure.

A dental implant or a bone graft can fail for many reasons, but singing is not one of them. So don’t worry, keep making good harmony and the bone graft/implant will soon, end up well.

In terms of the general variables that may cause bone graft failure, these include, age and general health. If you are in the advanced years of life, the bone quality is much more cellular and less dense. Your health also could play a role in bone graft outcomes. Diabetes, hypertension, and smoking may lead to bone graft failure.

If you are in relative good health, there may be other causes of failure, such as the type of bone used, and the location within the oral cavity in which the graft was performed. The health of the surrounding teeth and the condition of your gums are issues to consider.

All these factors individually may not influence the graft success, but combined can determine the success or failure. It is important for you to discuss the above with your specialist, so that you may better understand your specific condition.