How Long Does Gum Surgery Take to Heal
For people that have receding gums, a dentist may recommend a gum graft. Gum recession often leaves tooth roots exposed which can increase the risk of decay, create sensitivity issues, and be prone to abrasion.
Also called gingival grafts, gum grafts correct receding gums. The surgery is relatively simple and can be performed by a dentist or periodontist (gum specialist). This article will discuss the procedure and associated recovery time.
Understanding the Gum Graft Procedure
Upon arriving for the appointment, the patient will be taken into the procedure room. To minimize any pain or discomfort during the procedure, the patient will be administered a local anesthetic to numb the area. Rarely, general anesthesia is used so that the patient is unconscious during the surgery, but this is not generally recommended because of the inherent risks associated with general anesthesia.
Based on the patient’s specific needs, the dentist or periodontist will perform one of three types of graft:
- Free gingival graft: The periodontist takes a piece of tissue from the palate (roof of the mouth) and sutures (stitches) it to the area needing gum tissue. This type of graft is commonly used if the patient has thin gums and need additional tissue to combat further recession.
- Connective tissue graft: The periodontist cuts a small flap in the palate and takes a portion of connective tissue from under it. The connective tissue is then stitched around the area of affected gum. This is the most common type of gum graft performed.
- Pedicle graft: The surgeon creates a flap of gum tissue adjacent to the affected area and pulls the flap over the area of recession rather than taking tissue from another area of the mouth. Often the most successful type of graft because blood supply is not cut off in any part of the mouth, pedicle grafts require the patient to have adequate gum tissue around the are of recession.
What to Expect During Recovery Process
Because gum graft procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, the patient will be able to return home shortly after surgery. To ensure no issues with the graft or reactions to the anesthesia, the periodontist may have the patient wait a couple hours for observation.
For the first week or two during recovery, patients should stick to a diet of soft, cold foods to ensure they do not damage the gum graft. Hot or hard foods could burn or irritate the graft and therefore should be avoided for a while. Ideal foods during recovery include eggs, yogurt, fully cooked vegetables, ice cream, and gelatin.
To reduce the risk of infection, plaque buildup on the teeth, or complications with the graft, the periodontist will often recommend using an antimicrobial mouthwash for a period of weeks after surgery. Patients should not floss or brush in the area until the doctor has cleared them to do so as these activities could damage the graft and open a wound.
If there is residual pain or discomfort, patients can manage it with over-the-counter pain medicines like ibuprofen. If pain persists or becomes severe, consult the periodontist as quickly as possible to rule out complications.
Most patients will be fully healed from a gum graft procedure within two weeks but could take up to a month. A follow-up appointment with the doctor a week after the procedure will be needed to ensure the graft was successful and patient is properly healing. After two weeks, regular flossing and brushing can resume.
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