How does gum surgery work

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Keep reading to learn how to prepare, what happens during the procedure, and tips for recovery. How do you prepare for a gum graft? What can you expect during the procedure?

How much does a gum graft cost? What should you expect during recovery? Are complications possible? What happens next? Read this next. Skin Graft. Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M. A lowered gum line, known as gum line recession, is caused by the loss of gum tissue and may require soft tissue grafting to reduce the risk of further damage.

During this procedure, a dental surgeon typically removes tissue from one part of the body and re-attaches it to the area where the gum has receded. The tissue often comes from the roof of the mouth.

Before a person has a gum surgery, a dentist will perform a pre-operative exam to make sure it is safe to have surgery. Most gum surgery procedures take around 2 hours to complete. In some cases, the surgery will require a person to be asleep or partially asleep during the procedure. Other times, the surgery only involves the use of a local anesthetic to numb the gums.

The injection of the numbing medication can be mildly uncomfortable. During the procedure, the dental surgeon uses sterile equipment, including instruments and drapes, to lower the risk of infection. After making small incisions or cuts along the gum line, the dentist will lift the gums away from the teeth. This allows the dentist to see the roots better so that they can remove and clean away any tartar, plaque, or infection. Following this deep cleaning, the dental surgeon can perform other procedures, such as gum reshaping, bone regeneration procedures, or other planned procedures.

Once the planned dental surgery is complete, the surgeon will stitch the gums back into place, using fine thread stitches. The dentist will remove the stitches 7 to 10 days after surgery. Following any dental procedure, a dentist will provide detailed instructions on how to achieve the best possible recovery. Recovery times will depend on the extent of the procedure taking place. Typically, people will require pain relief medications in the days after gum surgery.

Again, the dentist will talk to the person about any recommended drugs before they leave the office or surgical center. The dentist will schedule an appointment to return to the office for 1—2 weeks time. During this appointment, the surgeon will check how the gums are healing and, if required, remove any stitches.

The gums and teeth will heal, tighten, and become firmer and stronger. Some people may have tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures and may find relief by using desensitizing toothpaste. Dental procedures may or may not be covered by insurance, so speaking with an insurance carrier to discuss dental benefits is essential in determining expected out-of-pocket costs.

Since gum disease is caused by bacterial overgrowth, plaque, and tartar buildup, proper oral hygiene is usually effective in preventing and reversing the condition. In most cases, seeking regular dental care accompanied by brushing and flossing two times a day is enough to prevent gum disease from occurring. If left untreated, gum disease may lead to the development of a variety of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes , and pre-term, low-birth-weight babies.

Gum disease can also become a serious health condition affecting the teeth, gums, and bones, leading to infection and bone and tissue death. A Closer Look at Your Gums Inside your mouth, gum tissue forms a barrier that resists the vigorous mechanical and microbial effects of eating, chewing and biting. Gums may begin to recede, or shrink down, for several reasons. One is ineffective oral hygiene: This includes both inadequate brushing, which fails to remove dental plaque; and excessive brushing, which erodes the tissue.

Foreign objects in the mouth that rub against the gums, like poorly fitting removable dentures, tongue bolts, or even fingernails, can also contribute to gum recession. When the tooth's roots lose the protection of healthy gum tissue, they can become extremely sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, causing pain when you consume many foods and drinks. Worse, missing gum tissue makes it easier for bacteria to penetrate the roots and cause decay — or for minor trauma to result in rapid gum recession.

In either case, the eventual result may be tooth loss. That's why proper treatment of gum recession is so important. Treating Gum Recession With Gingival Grafting After a thorough examination and assessment of your teeth, gums and overall health, the gingival grafting procedure may be recommended. The tissue used in this procedure may be obtained from a variety of sources: an area next to the area of recession, from the hard palate, or donated tissue from another person, which has been medically processed to make it safe to use.

There are several different methods of grafting. For example, if you have lost gum tissue in an area of your mouth that's not highly visible when you talk or smile, additional gum tissue can be placed there to prevent further recession without trying to cover the tooth-root surface completely. This procedure is referred to as a free gingival graft since the tissue is separated from its blood supply , and it takes about 45 minutes to perform.

It is very predictable with a very high success rate. If the objective is to cover root surfaces, the procedure becomes more complicated and will take longer, but is still very successful.