Things to Consider Before and After Gum Graft Surgery

Gum recession affects almost 12% of the adults in our nation. So, if you are dealing with gum recession, you are not alone. Gum recession usually occurs because of gum disease, and the process is slow.

Thank goodness our dentist in Vancouver, BC, offers gum graft surgery to prevent and control the effects of gum recession. The procedure is quite effective in protecting your teeth from decay and gum recession.

However, when people learn it is a surgery, they get a bit queasy. Let not the term surgery scare you; it is not as bad as it sounds. So, look closely at the things you need to consider before and after graft surgery.

There Are Several Types of Gum Graft Surgery

During your initial visit with our dentist in Vancouver, BC, you will probably hear our dentist explain the options available. In other words, there isn’t one type of gum graft in Vancouver, BC. There are two main types of graft surgeries: gingival graft and connective tissue graft.

In both types, our dentist will take tissue from a donor site, usually the roof of the mouth, and attach it to where the recession occurred. But where they differ is how the procedure is carried out.

The connective tissue graft involves opening a little flap to remove a piece of tissue from the layer of connective tissue underneath. If it is a gingival tissue graft, then there is no need for opening a flap because the tissue will be taken from the top part of the palate. However, there are other types of gum grafts, such as pedicle graft, where the tissue is taken from a gum area closer to the trouble area.

Another option is the donor tissue comes from porcine tissue (obtained from pigs) or cadaver tissue. The reason for these other options is that, at times, using your tissue might be preferable but not possible. For instance, if you need gum grafts for almost seven teeth, it would be impossible to take tissue from your palate since that might be half the palate!

So, figuring out which option suits you best needs a thorough conversation with our dentist in Vancouver, BC.

Preparation Is Minimal, But Necessary

You most probably will not need much preparation before your surgery. However, the initial consultation is necessary so that our dentist can go through the procedure details with you.

Moreover, our dentist will need documentation of your gums’ appearance before the procedure commences.

You will also need to stock your pantry and fridge with soft and nutritive foods. There will be a wound in your mouth for over a week, so you need food that will not hurt your mouth and will help you heal.

Also, our dentist will treat any infections before you undergo the surgical procedure because there might be complications that can arise after the surgery if infections are not dealt with.

Expect Some Bleeding and Numbness During the Procedure

You should bear in mind that our dentist will use local anesthesia. Therefore, you need to eat several hours before the procedure since your mouth will be numb a few hours after the procedure.

In most cases, there will be no need for sedation not unless you have dental phobia, but local anesthesia should do the trick. After anesthesia kicks in, our dentist will proceed by prepping the recipient site by separating the gums from the teeth, which would make you bleed. The next step will be to harvest the tissue graft and then attach it to the recipient site.

Our dentist will cover both sites using sutures with clay-like protection to aid healing.

Expect a Change in Your Habits

Immediately after the procedure, you will still be numb, but the pain may start creeping in after a while. That’s why our dentist will prescribe pain medication to help you through the first few days, which are the most bothersome.

Also, you will have to deal with the swelling that usually occurs and peaks on day three before it subsides. Therefore, you will need to avoid the areas affected when brushing for about a week.

How and what you eat will be greatly affected because the affected area needs time to heal. So try to avoid the side affected for a week or two. Don’t try munching on anything hard, crunchy, or hot, especially during the first two weeks. Go for nutritional soft foods and slowly introduce the other foods after two weeks.

We Are Here for You

It will take almost eight weeks for you to heal. Therefore, you will not see the full benefits of the procedure until the tissue has healed. But we will walk with you throughout the eight weeks. In case of anything, you can contact us at Enhance Dental Centre.