Surgical Sensations: Do Gum Grafts Hurt?

Did you know that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss? The earliest form, gingivitis, can often be reversed. However, it’s notoriously difficult to catch, and if it goes unaddressed, it progresses to more advanced stages. If your gums have already begun to recede, your oral health care provider might recommend a gum graft procedure to restore them.

This surgery rebuilds your connective tissues to prevent potential harm, but you might avoid scheduling it if you’re afraid it will hurt. Continue reading to learn more about what you can expect from your gum graft so you can move forward confidently.

What is a Gum Graft?

Also referred to as a gingival graft or sometimes as periodontal plastic surgery, this treatment replaces lost connective tissues to cover the now-exposed roots of your teeth. Before you can proceed, you must consult with your periodontist. They’ll need to examine your condition to determine the extent of the damage in order to recommend an appropriate solution.

Then, based on their findings, they might suggest one of the following options:

• Subepithelial connective tissue graft. This is the most common type and involves creating a flap of tissue on the roof of your mouth and suturing it over the exposed roots of your teeth.
• Free gingival graft. For this procedure, your provider uses a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth and attaches it to the existing gum tissue around your tooth.
• Acellular dermal matrix allograft. Instead of rebuilding your gums with some of your own connective tissues, this uses donated and medically processed samples from another person for your graft.

Do Gum Grafts Hurt?

Although it’s not usually considered a major procedure, your gum graft involves oral surgery. As a result, many patients worry that it will inevitably be long and agonizing and include a lengthy recovery.

Thankfully, that’s not the case! Your periodontist will numb the area first with a local anesthetic to block the nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. They can also provide sedation to reduce your body’s sensitivity to external stimuli and help you feel calm.

Then, it’s normal to experience some mild to moderate swelling and associated discomfort when the meds wear off. If you were prescribed pain medications or antibiotics, it’s important that you take them precisely as directed to avoid possible adverse effects.

Fortunately, most people fully recover from their gum graft in one to two weeks without developing complications, so you can set your mind at ease!

Meet the Author

Dr. Andrew Barnett is passionate about providing necessary surgical services to help patients build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s of Science and Certificate in Periodontics from the University of Michigan. Today, he offers many services to rebuild and regenerate your teeth and gums, including surgical grafts.  He combines a caring approach with state-of-the-art equipment so you can trust that you’re getting the most up-to-date treatments. You can request an appointment on the website or call (214) 691-2614.