Gum Graft - To do or not to do

[earlysignoff]

Hello Friends

During my recent visit to my dentist advised Me to consult a gum specialist to address gum recession in one tooth. Finished my consultation and was advised to undergo gum graft surgery for two teeth. Dentist agreed with the recommendation.

Any advice on how painful this procedure will be and is this a good preventive step?I am 63 years young in good health.

 

[artformoney]

Had it done a couple years ago (at 58), two lower teeth. The graft area itself didn’t really hurt much, it was the roof of mouth where graft came from that was a painful for a week (5 on a 1-10 scale), like really bad pizza burn, as doc described it. He was correct. Totally worth it in the end.

 

[Redbugdave]

I have had grafts done on uppers and lowers. 3 bottom and 2 top teeth. Not a bad procedure. They give you pain pills and both times I only used one pill just after the procedure.

This surgery is pretty important if you want to keep your teeth into old age. Make sure you floss after you heal from then on, too. Very important.

 

[Deej]

If the gum graft was advised, do it. It will save your teeth. I had it done many years ago due to bad recession on the bottoms from the frenulum (the skin that is attached the lip to bottom gum). My frenulum was a high one and was very slowly, over decades, pulling my gums down causing the recession. Doc took the frenulum off, gum graft done, and no issues since, other than the recession, but, now it's supported. I remember it not being too painful; pretty much like the others explained. Floss, floss, and floss - so important.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

I had one done when I was in high school in the 1970s. I don't remember how bad it felt, but I can attest to its longevity.

 

[earlysignoff]

Thanks all for your prompt responses. The gum graft will be in the lower 2 teeth and the material will be a synthetic material. It will not be a graft removed from the roof of the mouth. Understand from the specialist that he has a good experience with this procedure.

I intend going ahead with the procedure. Appreciate all the inputs. Very helpful

 

[MBAustin]

DH had a gum graft done more than 10 years ago, so I don't recall the pain level but I don't think it was notable. It has helped stabilize his teeth a lot. He also wears a night guard since then for stabilization - you may want to ask your dentist about that.

 

[earlysignoff]

Thanks MBAustin. The gum specialist did discuss this option to stabilize the teeth after the graft.

 

[Earl E Retyre]

My dental hygienist recently said that if my gums receded more that I would likely need a gum bone graft. I believe she said it would be from a cadaver - which sounded kind of odd to me. I wonder what the pros and cons are between cadaver bone and synthetic. Synthetic sounds much better.

 

[Redbugdave]

My dental hygienist recently said that if my gums receded more that I would likely need a gum bone graft. I believe she said it would be from a cadaver - which sounded kind of odd to me. I wonder what the pros and cons are between cadaver bone and synthetic. Synthetic sounds much better.

You will know for sure if it was from cadaver bone when you discover that you can talk a new language.

 

[mn54]

My dental hygienist recently said that if my gums receded more that I would likely need a gum bone graft. I believe she said it would be from a cadaver - which sounded kind of odd to me. I wonder what the pros and cons are between cadaver bone and synthetic. Synthetic sounds much better.

these are 2 very different things. a soft tissue graft (gums), does not involve any bone. a small piece of soft tissue is taken usually from the roof of the mouth and sutured over the area of recession. a bone graft can be either from a cadaver or synthetic bone (or your own bone) and placed where you have had bone loss around your teeth.