Periodontal Gum Grafting Procedure

[LukenDC]

A couple of weeks ago I had a gum grafting procedure to cover an area of receding gum line in front of a tooth. It involved cutting a flap of skin on my hard palate and removing a small piece of underlying tissue. The dentist then made a pocket of gum tissue under my tooth and inserted the tissue from my palate. Afterward she stitched the incisions closed. The procedure was performed under local anesthetic and took about forty minutes.

From my perspective as a patient, this procedure was incredibly easy from start to finish. Other than the slight pinch experienced when the dentist injected the Novocain into my palate, there was no pain or discomfort during the procedure or recovery. I was able to eat regular food, just not hard or crunchy foods. I'm really surprised by how easy and painless a recovery it was.

 

[agnes!]

Thanks for posting. My gums are kind of receding in spots so something like your procedure is probably in my mouth's future.

agnes!

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

Thanks for the reassurance. I'm starting to notice some receding and have started to worry about it. I had a friend who had it done and it didn't seem as simple a thing. Although I do think my friend had a larger area done all at once. I mention it to my dentist at every cleaning but so far he has just said it's normal for my age and not to worry about it. Ofcourse, I worry anyway. It's good to know that it's not a huge deal to get something done about it.

 

[kirstenb1]

I'm glad this went so well for you. MIL had it done a few years ago, and I was just cringing thinking about it.

 

[Disney Doll]

I had this done a few years back and I agree with you...it wasn't bad at all.

 

[OK!]

Thanks for posting. My gums are kind of receding in spots so something like your procedure is probably in my mouth's future.

agnes!

Same here. I didn't even know this kind of procedure existed. Nice to know that it does and it isn't as horrific as you'd expect it to be!

 

[krcit]

I just about passed out just from reading the title of the post. I'm glad it wasn't too bad but I'm telling you I would have to be put out totally if I ever need that

 

[cristit14]

I had this done several years ago. The procedure itself wasn't too bad. I had a local and some Valium to go along with it. The recovery wasn't as good. Mostly just from the roof of my mouth healing the rest wasn't too bad. One night I had taken the guard for the roof of my mouth out to clean it and my DH asked me a question. I answered him before I put it back in and let me tell you I thought the pain would send me through the roof. You don't realize how much your tongue touches the roof of your mouth when you talk until something like that.

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi Luke!

I'm glad that the procedure went so well for you!! I really loathe going to the dentist, but at least when it's as painless as possible, it's not so bad, is it. I have a great dentist too, who is very gentle and makes sure that I'm in no pain. I'm in the middle of having a crown made for a molar, just 2 days ago I had the temporary put on and have to go back in a couple of weeks to have the permanent crown put on, which the dentist said is a simple procedure. *whew*. LOL

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I have no idea what prompted you to post this, but I'm glad you did. I need to have this done and I have just been terrified. I know I'm overreacting, but I can't help it.

 

[Mickey527]

I just forwarded your post to my son who is in the Marines.
he was told he has to have this procedure for the entire front of his lower jaw, 6 teeth are in question.
His father had it done about 20 years ago and was in such pain. I can still remember how he complained and took pain meds for weeks. He couldnt' talk or eat and drooled everywhere.
My son is very nervous since he remembers his father's pain and he was only about 5 at the time. I am glad to see they have improved the procedure alot since then.
But he also is having it done by the Marines dentist and I have heard only bad things about military doctors and dentists.

 

[LukenDC]

I have no idea what prompted you to post this, but I'm glad you did. I need to have this done and I have just been terrified. I know I'm overreacting, but I can't help it.

I posted my experience to reassure others who may have to undergo a similar procedure. It sounds like an awful ordeal, but really is not. I was expecting some pain afterwards, but there was none.

 

[LukenDC]

Hi Luke!

I'm glad that the procedure went so well for you!! I really loathe going to the dentist, but at least when it's as painless as possible, it's not so bad, is it. I have a great dentist too, who is very gentle and makes sure that I'm in no pain. I'm in the middle of having a crown made for a molar, just 2 days ago I had the temporary put on and have to go back in a couple of weeks to have the permanent crown put on, which the dentist said is a simple procedure. *whew*. LOL

Hi, Terry! I have never minded going to the dentist, but the word "surgery" is enough to make anyone uneasy. Several years ago I had to have a crown. The most painful thing about that was the cost. Yikes!

 

[LukenDC]

I just forwarded your post to my son who is in the Marines.
he was told he has to have this procedure for the entire front of his lower jaw, 6 teeth are in question.
His father had it done about 20 years ago and was in such pain. I can still remember how he complained and took pain meds for weeks. He couldnt' talk or eat and drooled everywhere.
My son is very nervous since he remembers his father's pain and he was only about 5 at the time. I am glad to see they have improved the procedure alot since then.
But he also is having it done by the Marines dentist and I have heard only bad things about military doctors and dentists.

When I met with the periodontist for the initial consultation and scheduling, she warned me not to talk to anyone about the procedure beforehand, especially anyone who was older and had had it years ago. She said that it used to be a major ordeal resulting in lots of horror stories, but she assured me that the procedure had been refined and improved upon over the years. She promised that I would be surprised by the lack of discomfort and she was right.

 

[beachlover9395]

LukenDC, I'm glad you didn't have any problems with your gum graft. I wish my postop had been so uneventful.

A tooth on my lower jawline needed a gum graft. After surgery, I bruised terribly and swelled even worse and you could see bruising and swelling on my face and lower jaw. My hard palate swelled on the side the graft was taken something terrible. The periodontist told me if I ever had to have a graft again, he'd give me a steroid pak to take before and after surgery due to this swelling. My hard palate is now also permanently swollen on that side. My surgery was done in 2007.

All of this was due to how I respond to oral surgery; the perio didn't do anything wrong - the graft took beautifully - it was just the bruising and swelling that were intolerable. Now, mind you I looked like a beaten and battered chipmunk for a month after my wisdom teeth were removed as a teenager (two decades ago). Personally, I hope I never have to go through a gum graft again. But most people would have the reaction LukenDC did, not the reaction I did.

 

[Tigger2252]

Thank you for posting about your experience. I had it done over 20 years ago and remember it as an awful procedure. It is nice to know that the procedure has improved. I may need another one in the future and knowing this is very helpful.