Does gum grafting hurt?

The actual gum grafting procedure is painless. This is because a local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area. A periodontist, who is a dental specialist in gum disease and the gums, typically performs this procedure. You may instead feel some movement or pressure as your periodontist performs the procedure.

How long does the pain last after gum graft?

Pain. The area of the gum graft will be tender for a day or two, and sensitive to hot or cold drinks and hard foods for a several weeks afterward.

How long does it take to recover from a gum graft?

Gum grafting covers exposed teeth roots and adds volume to your gum line, improving overall oral health. Recovery usually takes one week to two weeks, but it may take longer. Gum grafting has a good success rate and can reduce your risk of severe gum disease.

Is gum grafting worth it?

Gum grafting is a highly safe and effective procedure; it has been tested and proven successful in treating countless cases of receding and thinning gums due to aggressive brushing and gum disease. Still, complications and infections may occur, especially without proper post-op care.

Are you awake for a gum graft?

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. Once the area is numb you will only feel slight applied pressure but will not feel pain or sharpness.

Do gum grafts hurt? Pain from gum grafting?

When is it too late for gum grafting?

In some cases, it may be too late for gum grafting to save the gums. If your gums are severely damaged, receding so far back that they expose the tooth's root, or if there is significant bone loss from advanced gum disease, gum grafting may not be able to restore them to their healthy state.

Is a gum graft considered major surgery?

Although a gum graft is not considered major dental surgery, it is best to consult with a specialist (periodontist) for optimum results. Preventing the need for gum grafts starts with knowing why gum recession occurs: Heredity – You can't change who your ancestors are, but you can take steps to manage your oral health.

What is the average cost of gum grafting?

The average cost of gum graft surgery ranges from $600 to $1,200 per tooth. If gum contouring is performed to give the gums a more attractive appearance, it may add several hundred dollars to the total cost. Additional factors that impact the price of gum grafting include: Number of teeth being worked on.

Is there an alternative to gum grafting?

One of the more popular alternatives to having a traditional gum graft performed is a newer procedure called the Pinhole Surgical Technique. Much like orthoscopic/laparoscopic surgery, this minimally invasive procedure corrects gum recession by making a small hole in your gumline.

Is gum grafting covered by insurance?

Gum grafting is generally covered by insurance plan; however, every patient's plan will have different levels of coverage and out of pocket expenses.

Do gum grafts look natural?

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.

Can gum grafts fall off?

Usually, you can tell you have a failed gum graft because you will have a large white patch of white tissue that has come off the tooth. Sometimes it may even look like the gum graft is falling off.

How much pain is a gum graft?

Many patients will say it's about a 6-7 out of 10 on a 1-10 pain scale. The reason it's more painful is that they harvest the donor tissue from the surface of the roof of the mouth. This leaves the underlying gum tissues completely exposed and therefore in pain.

How do you sleep after gum graft?

Following oral surgery, we recommend that you sleep with your head and shoulders propped up above your heart level. Add an extra pillow or two to your bed or to the place where you will be resting. If you have a recliner, this is also an excellent way to keep your head elevated.

Can I drive home after a gum graft?

If we use local anesthesia to numb you during the procedure, you can drive yourself home from the office. Most local anesthesia wears off in about 4-8 hours. If you requested stronger anesthetic medication, like IV or oral sedation, you need someone else to drive you home after the procedure.

How long after a gum graft can I brush my teeth?

A: You may resume brushing and flossing all teeth except the surgical area 24 hours after surgery. Avoid brushing the surgical area until your stitches are removed or have dissolved depending on the type of stitches placed for your procedure.

Who is not a candidate for gum graft?

Someone whose teeth are healthy

There is no reason to perform a gum graft for a tooth that is very loose or severely damaged. Instead, any tooth problems must be treated before undergoing the gum grafting procedure.

What percentage of gum grafts are successful?

Recovery. The gum grafting procedure has a 90% success rate, therefore patients can feel confident the procedure will benefit them. Recovery from this procedure normally takes 4-6 weeks, during which patients will be asked not to brush or floss near the newly repaired area.

How many teeth can you do a gum graft on?

How many teeth need to be grafted? If you need many teeth in your mouth grafted and want to just get this procedure done once, then alloderm should definitely be considered. 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.

Is gum graft a minor surgery?

You may benefit from a gum graft. This is a minor surgical dental treatment that reverses the effects of receding gums. It replaces protective tissue around the tooth, lowering the risk of tooth decay and damage.

How often do gum grafts fail?

Success or failure of graft will be determined by the periodontist or the operating surgeon. Failure happens in less than 2% of cases.

How many appointments do you need for a gum graft?

Two appointments are needed for a gum graft: the first to perform the surgery and the second to remove sutures and check that the graft is healing correctly. You do not need to modify your diet or fast prior to the procedure – just show up at your appointed time.

Does a gum graft require stitches?

Sutures connect the soft tissues around your teeth together to help speed up the healing process. They allow us to close the wound in the surgical site. In other words, you need dental sutures to hold your gum grafts in place.

What not to do before gum graft?

Hot or Cold Foods

Foods that are extremely hot or cold such as ice cream, oatmeal, or soup can cause sensitivity and increase pain. It's best to eat foods that are room temperature to reduce any chances of aggravating the surgical site(s).

Can I talk after gum graft surgery?

Avoid Talking (As Much As Possible)

Talking causes your mouth's muscles to stretch, which, in turn, can loosen up the gauze and increase the chances of bleeding. Refraining from speaking is hard, but try to remain silent as much as possible for the first two to three days after gum grafting surgery.