Is Gum Grafting Painful?
Does gum grafting hurt?
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Keeping your body healthy starts with taking care of your smile. Your jawbone and gums are the foundation of your smile, and several different treatment options focus on gum health. Gum graft surgery is often used for restorative and cosmetic purposes. What is a gum graft, and when are they needed? Continue reading on to learn more about gum grafting near you.
The gum grafting procedure is not painful per se since the dentist will use local anesthetics while performing the procedure. However, you can expect a few discomforts after the procedure. Don’t panic, though. Your dentist will do as much as possible to help you manage these discomforts when the anesthesia wears off. You can talk to us if you are looking for gum grafting near you.
It is not uncommon to feel pain and experience some swelling for the first few days after the surgery. To help alleviate these discomforts, your dentist will recommend over-the-counter pain medications such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol. He might also give you some antibiotics to help prevent bacterial infections, which are common after surgeries.
It is worth noting that it will take a few days before you are all healed up. During this time, it is essential to do everything you can to accelerate your recovery speed. The following tips can help you achieve that:
- Avoid strenuous exercises and activities during the first week after the surgery.
- Place a piece of gauze on the side of the surgery site to help stop the bleeding.
- Do not disturb the wound with your tongue or while brushing your teeth.
- Do not use mouthwash or brush your teeth for the first 24 hours.
- Don’t take too hot or cold drinks for the first 72 hours.
- Avoid hard foods and take more soft foods such as ice cream.
- Avoid brushing the gums for the first three weeks and when you start brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
What is a Gum Graft Surgery?
Patients affected with receding gums can benefit from a gum graft surgery. This can be caused by various reasons, including genetics, orthodontia, and overbrushing. It focuses on removing the tissue from the roof of the mouth and cutting the gums surrounding the individual teeth. New tissue is attached with the help of your experienced doctor.
Gum Graft Pain
Gum grafting surgeries can be uncomfortable, but your dentist can provide any needed medications or anesthesia to make you feel relaxed and pain-free. They will review other options that might work best for your specific situation and circumstances. A stent can be applied to help prevent bleeding from occurring. The stent covers the roof of the mouth and applies pressure. It also prevents the tongue from getting into the stitches and stops food from getting trapped. Dentists continue their education to provide up-to-date and modern treatments to the patients in the local area. New innovations in medicine allow quicker healing periods after a gum grafting surgery and more comfortable treatments.
Contact a dental office for more information if you need gum grafting surgery to help restore your gums and smile. Visit their website and read the many reviews left by patients in the area who have found success in similar treatments.
Do Gum Grafts Have Any Complications?
Gum graft has a very high success rate, and the risk of complications is very low. However, that does not mean complications do not exist. Some of the complications associated with the treatment include:
- Swollen gums
- Gum tissue failing to attach properly
- Tooth sensitivity after gum graft
- Infections
- Bleeding gums
- Some people develop spaces between their teeth after the procedure.
Is Gum Graft Surgery Worth It?
Given that some discomfort is associated with the procedure and the payment for treatment, some people feel like gum graft is not worth the trouble. You are wrong if you have a problem that requires a gum graft and you are avoiding treatment because you think it is not worth the trouble.
The discomfort is usually minimal, and with new techniques, it takes a shorter time to heal. Also, treatment comes with many benefits, which include:
- Gum graft surgery protects the area from future gum recession.
- The procedure reinforces the tooth around the surgery site, stabilizing and strengthening it.
- Gum graft surgery restores your smile, which can, in turn, improve your confidence and make you a happier person.
- The surgery covers exposed roots, reducing the risk of tooth sensitivity.
Gum Graft Procedure
There are several gum grafts, and the right one for you will depend on the extent of your gum recession. Typically, the treatment takes one visit to the dentist and does not take long to complete. The most common types of gum grafts include:
Connective Tissue Grafts
The dentist makes a flap on the roof of your mouth and gets tissue from it. He then stitches these tissues into the receding gums. Finally, the dentist stitches the flap where he got the gum tissue. That’s it.
Free Gingival Graft Surgery
The dentist will remove gum tissue directly from the roof of your mouth without needing to make a flap. He will then stitch the tissue to the receding gums.
Lateral Grafts
If the receding gums have exposed your roots, the lateral graft is often the best option for treatment. The dentist typically gets gum tissue around the exposed tooth and stitches it to the receding gums. Alternatively, the gum tissue can be sourced from another individual if you don’t have enough tissue in your mouth.
How Much Is Gum Graft Surgery?
Typically, the cost of treatment depends on the work done on your gums. Also, your location and the experience of your dentist might affect the cost of treatment. Talk to a dentist near you to get the exact cost of treatment in your area.