Is pain normal after a gum graft surgery? While a gum graft procedure isn't considered major surgery, it does require some recovery time and short-term modifications to your diet. The procedure typically takes tissue from the roof of the mouth, also known as the palate.
It depends on how many teeth have gum recession. If you only need one gum graft, it usually takes about an hour. If you need multiple grafts in different areas of your mouth, it could take longer.
Gum grafting is generally a minor oral surgical procedure. Depending on the method and pain reliever used, you might be able to go home shortly after the treatment.
It is common to experience some discomfort and swelling following your gum grafting procedure, but fortunately the recovery process is not long. Although most people can go back to work the next day or two following the procedure, it is important to avoid aerobic activity for at least one week.
Will it Hurt? Throughout your surgery, you can expect to feel no pain whatsoever, as the anesthesia will ensure you are thoroughly numb. However, once you are home and the effects have worn off, it is not uncommon to experience some soreness and discomfort.
It's never too late for gum grafting as long as the patient has sufficient gum tissue to harvest for the graft. However, the success rate of the procedure may be lower in cases where the patient has advanced gum disease or other underlying health issues that can affect the healing process.
As most surgical procedures, gum grafting surgery implicates risk of infection, bleeding, and reaction to anesthesia. Besides, severe pain, bone rejection, inflammation, swelling, nerve injury, bacterial exposure of wounds, loose sutures, uneven healing, and more…
Your periodontist will ask you to keep the gauze in place for the first 40 to 50 minutes, reducing the risk of bleeding. You should also refrain from speaking. While you may feel up to chatting, it's best to wait 2 or 3 days unless otherwise advised by a dentist.
Keeping your head elevated above your heart will also help. Most swelling can occur in the morning and up to 3 days after surgery. Avoid sleeping / laying on the side that surgery was performed. Two days after surgery, moist heat will help resolve minor swelling.
For the most part, patients can drive themselves home after a gum graft. Local anesthesia (novocain) is typically used to numb the areas where the procedure takes place. In some cases, patients opt for a sedative. In this case, transportation will need to be arranged to travel home from the dentist's office.
This exposes more of the tooth root, leaving it vulnerable to decay and sensitivity. About 15-20% of the patients ages 20-35 have some sort of gum recession and may require grafting. About 75% of people older than 50 will require some form of gum grafting due to age and normal chewing.
During your gum graft surgery, you'll probably be awake like most people, or perhaps opt to be sedated. Most patients do not require anything more than local anesthetics to numb the area.
If you use your own tissue, the most teeth you can typically graft at once would probably be somewhere in the neighborhood of 7-8 teeth. With alloderm, you could graft every single tooth in your mouth in one sitting!
Getting gum grafts can restore the way your gums look, giving you a healthy-looking smile. They will also protect your gums from bacteria and acid attacks. If your teeth had become sensitive because the roots were exposed and a cavity had started, the gum graft surgery should stop the sensitivity.
Pinhole Surgical Technique
Next, your periodontist uses special instruments to loosen your gums and move them back to the appropriate position. This procedure has gained popularity due to it being far less invasive than traditional gum grafting, which in turn makes the recovery time significantly faster.
Treating Receding Gums with Gum Grafting
Gum grafting can address these issues and restore and rejuvenate your smile. While some gum recession occurs as we age, it can also often be result of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease must be treated before any cosmetic procedures can take place.
Periodontal Cosmetic Procedures Instructions
Avoid hot foods for the 1st day (hot soups, coffee, tea) as they will increase swelling to the treated area(s). Warm foods can be consumed on the 2nd day.
You can resume 50% of your regular exercise regimen at one week after surgery and your normal routine 2 weeks after surgery. Avoid diving for a minimum of one month after surgery. Light walking is OK during the first week. Rest time may vary depending on the specific procedure performed.
Because the “tunnelling” gum graft approach is minimally invasive, your new gum graft will be a natural pink color and look so natural, most of our patients cannot even tell which teeth were treated and which were not.
It will get red and puffy, then white or gray with sloughing for up to two weeks. The tissue will change to pink or the natural color of your gums as the area heals. The dentists here at Gum Disease Guide aim to explain why the gum graft may look gray in this post.
The color of the graft may vary from pink to white. This is completely normal. The color will shift to red and pink as the swelling subsides. Some patients may take a long time to complete the gum graft healing stages.
If a dental patient has been diagnosed with gum disease, then they must have their gum disease treated before they can be considered a candidate. If a gum graft is performed on unhealthy gums, then it is likely that the procedure will fail. Good gum health is essential to a successful gum grafting.
With a gum graft, you can expect it to remain in place for a lifetime, but you will need to take care of your oral health on a daily basis. This means brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and being mindful of how much pressure you're using while brushing.
Gum Tissue Graft: When to Call the Doctor
Call your dentist if you experience any unusual symptoms following surgery, including: Bleeding that won't stop after applying pressure for 20 minutes. More pain, swelling, and bruising than your dentist said to expect.