Gum tissue graft surgery, or more simply known as gum grafts are used to protect your teeth from the unwanted effects of receding gums. This article will focus on gum graft healing time and what to expect after the procedure. The article will also talk about gum grafting cost.
Gum tissue graft surgery, or more simply known as gum grafts are used to protect your teeth from the unwanted effects of receding gums. This article will focus on gum graft healing time and what to expect after the procedure. The article will also talk about gum grafting cost.
What is a gum graft?
Your dentist or periodontist may recommend a gum graft if they notice that your gums are receding. The danger with gum recession is that it exposes the roots of your teeth. If the roots are exposed, it will make the root surface of teeth more prone to decay as well as more sensitive to abrasions.
The procedure itself is fairly quick, and you will be allowed to go home once it is finished. The procedure starts by your periodontist taking some healthy gum tissue from the roof of your mouth or surrounding tissue. This healthy tissue will be attached to the areas where the gums have worn away.
How much does a gum graft surgery cost?
The cost for this type of procedure can set you back anywhere from a hundred to a thousand dollars, depending on how much gum has receded. The good news is that insurance will most likely cover it because it is a medically needed procedure. Verify with your insurance company, but the costs will most like be covered in full. However, there may be some instances where you will incur a little out-of-pocket expense.
What to expect during recovery
Gum graft healing time can vary depending on the patient, but in most cases, it would only take one to two weeks before you can resume normal activities again. Although the full healing process would usually take around one month to complete, you will be able to brush and floss normally again after this initial one to two week healing process. If you take extra care of your mouth during recovery, the healing time may also stand to be shortened.
During recovery, you should be careful not to do anything to disturb the healing process of the graft. Eat soft and cold food to avoid irritating the graft. Also, use an antimicrobial mouthwash and do not brush or floss until your dentist tells you it would be safe to do so. Also, it would be normal to feel a little pain as you recover, but the pain should go away after some time. Your dentist will likely prescribe you some over-the-counter pain medications that you can take to alleviate the discomfort you feel as your graft heals.
When should you be worried?
Minor pain is associated with the recovery from any type of surgical procedure, but then you should alert your dentist when there is excessive bleeding that does not stop after applying pressure for more than 20 minutes, and if you are experiencing more pain than your doctor told you to expect. If you are taking pain medications and the pain does not subside, this can also be another reason to call your dentist.