If you notice your teeth are temperature sensitive or that your gums are thinning, you may need gum graft surgery. During this procedure, an oral surgeon takes tissue from your soft palate or from other donated materials and replaces your receded gums with the tissue. This surgery helps protect your teeth from decay and improves your oral health. Our goal is to thicken your gum tissue and help prevent future recession. Our professionals at Rockland Dental Specialists can help you determine if this procedure is right for you based on your condition and health history.
We always put our patients first by prioritizing their comfort and safety. Our compassionate team and relaxing facilities give you a stress-free experience and support before, during, and after treatment. With our extensive knowledge, we can answer all your questions so you fully understand your condition and if gum graft surgery is right for you. With our top-notch services and latest technologies, you can have restored confidence in your smile.
Who May Need Gum Graft Surgery?
Gum grafts can help fix many dental problems, and our surgeons may recommend the procedure if you have one of the following conditions:
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Teeth sensitivity
- Receding or thinning gums
- Tooth decay
These conditions cause the gums to wear away and expose your teeth, making them more sensitive. They often occur due to aggressive brushing or lack of flossing, but they can also be genetic. Gum graft surgery adds volume back to the gum line to protect your teeth and prevent further decay and damage.
What Is the Gum Graft Procedure Process?
We understand getting dental surgery can be overwhelming, but our specialists explain the process to you in complete detail to ease your worries. During your procedure, your surgeon will perform the following steps to restore your gums:
- Administer anesthesia: We offer several anesthesia options, including oral, IV, local, and general. We use the option you feel most comfortable with, so you can have a painless procedure.
- Prep the area: Once the area is numb, the surgeon makes a flap in the gums and cleans the teeth roots.
- Harvest gum graft material: Typically, the surgeon will take a small amount of inner tissue from the roof of your mouth, leaving the outer tissue intact. Then, they close this site with sutures. This step is not necessary if we use donated material.
- Place the new tissue: Your surgeon places the gum graft over the area where your gums have receded.
- Secure the gum graft: Once the graft is in position, the surgeon will suture it into place.
The amount of time the surgery takes depends on the severity of your condition and the number of gum grafts you need. Traditionally, one gum graft takes about an hour, but if you need multiple, the procedure could take longer. Regardless of your needs and the length of surgery, we prioritize your comfort and safety from start to finish.
How Long Is the Gum Graft Recovery Process?
While every patient is different and heals at different rates, the typical recovery time for gum graft surgery is one to two weeks. During the first day, you may experience discomfort, but we will prescribe medications to relieve any pain. You should also only eat cool, soft foods during this time and use an antibacterial mouthwash to avoid infection. Finally, you should avoid brushing the gum graft area until we let you know it’s safe to do so.
As the first week of recovery continues, you can start to incorporate some warm foods. Our specialists also schedule a check-up appointment to ensure the healing process is going smoothly. We will let you know when you can start eating hard, crunchy foods and when you can stop taking your medications.
As for returning to work and school, many patients do so within the first few days after surgery. However, if your job involves heavy lifting or strenuous activity that could increase your heart rate, you may not be able to return until at least one week after the procedure. This activity can cause discomfort and more swelling or bleeding.
Consult a Professional About Gum Graft Surgery at Rockland Dental Specialists in New York
If you notice your teeth have become more temperature sensitive or if your gums are bleeding, you should see our team at Rockland Dental Specialists. Our New York team can assess your oral health and determine if gum graft surgery is right for you. The procedure can help strengthen the gums, protect your teeth from decay, and give you confidence in your smile.
With over 24 years of collective experience, our specialists have worked on all types of gum-related conditions, including gum graft surgery. We take a personalized approach to every patient, so we will work with you every step of the way to create the perfect treatment plan that meets your needs. To schedule a consultation, fill out our contact form or call (845) 400-9205.
