How Painful is Gum Grafting?
If you’ve just been told by your dentist that you need to have a gum grafting procedure performed, you may be concerned and have a lot of questions. Gum grafting is a common procedure to fix the damage caused by receding gums. Receding gums are likely due to gum disease. If you’re in need of gum grafting and concerned about the pain, read on to learn more about the procedure and what you can expect.
What is gum grafting?
Gum grafting is a procedure that is performed to fix the damage caused by receding gums. Receding gums happen frequently in people with gum disease. As the gums recede, they expose the roots of teeth and create increased opportunities for bacteria and plaque to build behind the gumline. This is a problem for numerous reasons and will ultimately lead to more severe health issues. Therefore, it is essential that the receding gums be fixed.
The procedure involves the dentist removing gum tissue from one part of your mouth and placing it in another. The donor tissue is sutured to the new site and over time heals with the existing tissue to form a new gumline.
How painful is Gum Grafting?
Gum grafting is performed using local anesthesia. This means that during the procedure, you should not feel any pain. It is common to experience pressure, but this should not be painful. The numbing effect of the local anesthesia should keep you comfortable throughout the surgery. If you feel any pain during the procedure, it is important to notify your dentist immediately. This may be an indication that the anesthesia needs to be adjusted.
How painful is the recovery from gum grafting?
While the surgery itself is usually pain-free, the recovery period can involve some discomfort. After the local anesthesia wears off, you may experience mild to moderate pain in the treated area(s). This is especially true for the first 24 to 48 hours. The discomfort is usually manageable with pain medications, which your dentist will prescribe to help ease any pain.
It is normal for the procedure site to feel tender as your body begins the healing process. Swelling, bruising, and mild bleeding in the treated area are also common. If the graft was taken from the roof of your mouth, that area may feel sore as well, as the tissue there heals. This pain can last for a few days to a week, but it should subside as your gums begin to heal.
What are my next steps?
If you are having gum grafting performed by your dentist and are concerned about managing the pain during and after, speak with them today. They will be able to tell you about their specific approach to pain management and what you might be able to expect given your unique circumstances. Although the recovery from gum grafting can be uncomfortable, the benefits are worth it. Gum grafting will fix the damage caused by gum disease and ensure the overall health of your mouth for years to come.