How Painful is a Free Gingival Graft Procedure?
If you have receding or thin gums, you may have been told by your dentist that you need a procedure called a free gingival graft. If so, you may be wondering what you can expect from the procedure and how painful it might be. This article will discuss the procedure and help you understand what to expect.
What is a free gingival graft procedure?
A free gingival graft procedure is microsurgical procedure that seeks to prevent further gum recession. Gum recession is a serious issue that can ultimately lead to tooth decay and gum disease, both of which have serious effects on the overall health of your mouth. A free gingival graft procedure involves taking tissue from a donor site elsewhere in your mouth, usually the roof of your mouth, and grafting to the gum area that needs support from the recession. Over time, the donor tissue and existing gum tissue heal together forming a restored gum structure. This is an excellent option for people with receding gum lines, because it is minimally invasive and does a great job solving the problem at hand.
How painful is a free gingival graft procedure?
The actual procedure should not be painful at all. Your dentist will numb the areas that will be affected by the procedure and ensure that you are pain free for the duration of it. If necessary, your dentist can even administer a more general anesthesia which can help you relax or even sleep through the procedure itself.
Most of the discomfort from the procedure comes after during the healing process. This is because of where the donor tissue is harvested from. Most of the pain from the procedure is in that site, which is typically the roof of your mouth. The reason this is painful is because the harvested tissue is surface level tissue and ultimately leaves the tissues beneath exposed. Most patients would rate the pain a 6 out of 10. The site where the donor tissue is attached is far less painful, but still can experience some discomfort due to the sutures that attach the donor tissue to the gum tissue.
How long does it take to heal?
The healing process varies for everyone because each person’s body and overall health will dictate how long it takes to heal. Typically, a person will begin to feel relief in a few days following the procedure. The overall process takes a few weeks to heal fully. It is vital that you follow the dentist’s post operative care to minimize both healing time and discomfort.
What are my next steps?
A free gingival graft is an effective way to treat receding or thin gums. If you are someone who suffers from this condition, your dentist may recommend this procedure for you. It is important to remember that the procedure will come with some discomfort in your mouth for a few days, but that that discomfort is worth the overall benefits to ensuring your oral health. Talk to your dentist today about what the procedure might mean for you and what you might expect in terms of discomfort and healing time.