Why are gum grafts performed?
If your gums have started to recede and the roots of your teeth are becoming exposed, the dentist may suggest gum grafting as a treatment. When the surface of an area of your teeth is exposed that is usually protected by your gums, it is more likely to have problems with decay and sensitivity.
A gingival graft or a gum graft is a direct way to address those problematic gums through surgery. The dentist may refer you to a periodontist or a dentist that specializes in gums to have this simple procedure completed. Before you can determine how long it will take your mouth to heal from the periodontist’s work, you will need to understand the procedure.
First, the surgeon will remove a small piece of gum tissue from the roof of your mouth or other healthy gum tissue and then attach it to where the gums are wearing away. The surgery will not take too long and you will be able to leave the office once it is complete.
What should you expect during recovery?
Once the surgeon completes your procedure, you should be able to go home to recover shortly thereafter. The dentist may suggest staying at the office for an hour or two more to monitor the grafts and confirm there are not any complications.
During the first week to two weeks after surgery, soft foods that are room temperature will help you from damaging the healing graft. Hard foods and hot drinks can burn and irritate the sensitive area,
Some ideas for meals and snacks are:
* Scrambled eggs or soft boiled eggs
* Yogurt or pudding
* Gelatin
* Steamed or cooked vegetables that are soft to the touch
* Cottage cheese
* oatmeal
* Ice cream
* Fruit and vegetable smoothies
To help prevent infection and encourage healing, the periodontist will recommend an antimicrobial mouthwash to use for the next week or two. During this time, do not brush or floss the surgical area until the dentist confirms you are healed enough to do that. For the first 24 hours after the surgery, do not exercise or perform any strenuous activity. You should not resume these until the dentist confirms it is safe to do so.
For any pain or discomfort, the dentist may write a prescription or suggest a specific medication to use while you are healing.
Are complications possible?
Yes. Complications are possible with any surgery, but when it comes to gum grafts, they are rare. Infections are uncommon but if you think you are showing any signs of problems with your healing, be sure to reach out to the doctor.
What happens next?
You can plan on being mostly healed from your gingival graft after a week or two, depending on your surgery and your overall health. The dentist will want to schedule a follow up appointment to monitor your progress and ensure the success of the graft. After a month, the area of your graft will be fully healed if you are careful to follow all the aftercare instructions.