Is gum graft surgery worth it?

Gum grafting is a highly safe and effective procedure; it has been tested and proven successful in treating countless cases of receding and thinning gums due to aggressive brushing and gum disease. Still, complications and infections may occur, especially without proper post-op care.

How successful are gum grafts?

Gum grafting surgeries have a success rate of up to 90%. Besides, with local anesthesia, you should not experience any pain during your treatment. Afterward, your dentist will prescribe pain medication to help you manage your soreness after the numbing wears off.

Does gum grafting last?

No matter the type of oral procedure, proper care and maintenance are necessary to ensure results last as long as possible. With a gum graft, you can expect it to remain in place for a lifetime, but you will need to take care of your oral health on a daily basis.

What happens if I don't get a gum graft?

If left untreated, bacteria can build up over time and penetrate the roots, traveling all the way down to the jawbone. Over enough time, bacteria can even force teeth to fall out. This is a severe gum disease called periodontitis. To resolve this, tissue will be taken from the mouth and placed over the gums.

How common is it for a gum graft to fail?

Success or failure of graft will be determined by the periodontist or the operating surgeon. Failure happens in less than 2% of cases.

Gum Surgery plus skin graft to fix receding gums. Honest experience

How much does a gum graft cost?

Cost of Gum Graft Surgery

The base cost of a gum graft can be between $600 and $1200 per tooth. A periodontist is a specialist so is likely to have a higher fee. Donor tissue is more expensive than tissue that is harvested from the roof of your mouth.

Does gum grafting hurt?

The actual gum grafting procedure is painless. This is because a local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area. A periodontist, who is a dental specialist in gum disease and the gums, typically performs this procedure. You may instead feel some movement or pressure as your periodontist performs the procedure.

Do gum grafts look natural?

The gum grafts rarely looked natural, even after they had healed, and the whole process was very uncomfortable and painful for the patient.

How much does it cost to fix receding gums?

While this can vary depending on which dentist you see, the cost of gum disease treatment can cost up to $2,000, or even more. This means that the earlier you have the condition treated, the more money you'll save. In many cases, you may need a gum tissue graft, which can cost between $1,600 and $2,000, if not more.

How do you know you need a gum graft?

In many cases, a surgeon will recommend a gum graft if the gums are overly thin and weak, even if they haven't drooped. The reason is that they still may not provide the support that your teeth need to stay healthy. Thin gums are fragile, and they're more likely to recede.

How risky is gum graft?

If the procedure was handled by a skilled and experienced dentist, the gum graft procedure is totally safe and the complications are minimal. Potential complications that could occur due to the procedure include severe swelling, infections, uneven healing and loose sutures.

How long does a gum graft on one tooth take?

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.

Can a dentist reverse receding gums?

Treatment for gum recession

Gum recession can't be reversed. This means receded gum tissue won't grow back. However, you can keep the problem from getting worse. Treatment usually depends on the cause of the gum problems.

How long does it take a gum graft to fully heal?

Gum grafting recovery

Most patients are fully healed in just one to two weeks. Most people do return to work the day after their procedure though. After gum grafting, your teeth may feel more sensitive than usual. Desensitizing toothpaste or mouthwash can help with this discomfort.

How long does it take for a gum graft to look normal?

It is recommended that you do not look at the site until after the first post-op appointment. Muscles in your lip and face may manipulate the location of the newly placed graft. Avoid any contact of the graft with your fingers or toothbrush. The whole healing process averages 4-6 weeks.

How do you fix receding gums without surgery?

Is a gum graft covered by insurance?

Gum grafting is generally covered by insurance plan; however, every patient's plan will have different levels of coverage and out of pocket expenses.

Can you get implants if you have receding gums?

Patients who have receding gums can still choose dental implants to replace their missing teeth. It is true that, a critical factor to the success of your dental implant is the ability of the implant to be properly supported by the jaw bone and the gum tissue.

What happens when gums recede too much?

In periodontitis, the gum and connective tissues pull away, and a pocket forms between the tooth and gum that can collect bacteria. Over time, the bacteria cause further inflammation. If the gums recede too much, it may result in bone loss, which can cause teeth to loosen or fall out.

Can I smile after gum graft?

But gum surgery could alter your smile even more effectively. Though your teeth show more prominently when you smile, your gums play a larger part than you may imagine. The balance between tooth and gum must be correct, or your smile will appear to be slightly off.

How do you brush your teeth after a gum graft?

CARE OF MOUTH: DO NOT brush or floss in the graft site for TEN days after surgery. Then you may begin gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush for another two to four days and finally return to normal brushing.

Are you put to sleep for gum graft?

Normally we use local anesthesia for gum grafting, because our dentist must collect the tissue from the roof of your mouth before stitching it into place over the exposed dental root. You don't need to be fully sedated, and can even drive yourself home after the appointment.

Is a gum graft worse than wisdom teeth?

If you've had your wisdom teeth removed or a root canal, the thought of having any other oral surgery may seem daunting. But if you've been told by your dentist or periodontist that you need a gum graft surgery, you can relax a little — it sounds far worse than it is.

Can I talk after a gum graft?

Avoid Talking (As Much As Possible)

Talking causes your mouth's muscles to stretch, which, in turn, can loosen up the gauze and increase the chances of bleeding. Refraining from speaking is hard, but try to remain silent as much as possible for the first two to three days after gum grafting surgery.

How do you prepare for a gum graft?