How Painful is Gum Grafting?

Gum recession is a common problem among dental patients. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, you may have some gum recession which has caused the root of your teeth to become exposed. There are a few factors that can lead to gum recession. If you such factors are periodontal disease, certain medications, aggressive brushing, genetics, or even clenching or grinding your teeth.

Left untreated, gum recession can lead to route decay, loss of bone structure, and eventually tooth loss. Unfortunately, gum tissue cannot grow back on its own. Fortunately, however, there is a simple procedure to rectify this issue!

Gum grafting helps restore receded gum tissue. It is not painless but the benefits of receiving a needed gum graft greatly outweigh the consequences of not receiving treatment. There are a few different types of gum graft that are available. Here, we will review the types, post-op care, and pain management.

Types of Gum Grafts

• Connective tissue graft uses an underlying piece of connective tissue taken from a flap made on the roof of your mouth which is then pulled over the exposed root surface and sutured into place.
• Free gingival graft typically uses donor tissue that has been previously harvested from a cadaver and frozen. Tissue may also be harvested from the roof of your mouth instead of cadaver tissue.
• Pedicle graft can only be performed if the tissue of adjacent teeth is thick and healthy. Here, a small section of the healthy tissue is cut away and stitched into position over the exposed roots of the teeth next to it.

Your doctor and team will do everything they can to make sure you were comfortable during the procedure. Your doctor will have administered a local anesthetic so that you are numb and unable to feel anything. Once the anesthesia wears off however you are likely to experience some level of discomfort. Since pain is relative, your level of perceived pain will depend on your tolerance.

Post-Op Care and Pain Management

Your doctor will provide you with detailed postoperative instructions. Some of those instructions may include some of the following steps:

• avoid exercise and physical activities for at least 24 hours
• if you notice bleeding, place a moist gauze around the surgery site but not directly over it
• rinse with warm salt water after eating
• avoid brushing the site for a month
• for at least a few days, stay away from hot foods and drinks and allow at least a week of healing on a soft foods diet

Should You Receive Gum Graft Treatment

Once gum tissue has begun to recede, it will not regenerate on its own. If exposed tooth root structure is left untreated, temperatures sensitivities can become unbearable and the roots will be susceptible to decay. Gum recession can also lead to a loss of jaw bone structure which can then compromise surrounding healthy teeth, possibly causing you to lose teeth.

The restorative treatments that could be avoided with a simple gum graft can be much more costly and much more painful than receiving gum graft treatment. Some pain or mild discomfort can be tolerated to ensure that your teeth are healthy for years to come. If you suspect that you may be a candidate for gum grafting, discuss your options with your dentist.

More information on Gum Grafting : How Much Does Gum Grafting Cost?