What is a gum graft stent?

For gingival graft patients, there will be a plastic appliance called a stent that fits over your upper teeth and covers the palate. This is made for your comfort to reduce trauma to the donor site in the roof of your mouth while eating and drinking. The stent is covered with Orabase-B paste to help with pain control.

How long do you wear stent after gum graft?

After 24 hours, you may wear your stent as often as you feel is necessary. Most patients report wearing their stent for 5-7 days post-operatively. The stent effectively shields and protects the surgical site on the palate of the mouth when eating, drinking, talking, and sleeping.

Is a stent necessary after gum graft?

around the graft site falls off (5-7 days) after the procedure and it is hard, it's the glue, not the graft. Stent The protective stent (plastic covering) made for the roof of the mouth is for your comfort only. It is recommended that you use it for at least the first 2 weeks if you feel comfortable with it.

Is a gum graft considered major surgery?

Although a gum graft is not considered major dental surgery, it is best to consult with a specialist (periodontist) for optimum results. Preventing the need for gum grafts starts with knowing why gum recession occurs: Heredity – You can't change who your ancestors are, but you can take steps to manage your oral health.

How long does it take for gums to heal after gum graft?

A gum graft takes one to two weeks to heal. During this time, you'll need to follow strict instructions, including what you can and cannot eat.

Gum grafting post operative instructions

How painful is gum graft surgery?

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.

What helps gum grafts heal faster?

How much does a gum graft cost?

Cost of Gum Graft Surgery

A couple of things can affect the overall cost of your gum 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.

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.

Are antibiotics necessary after gum graft?

Antibiotics are only indicated following tissue grafting if the tissue source is from a donor. In most cases, the tissue is harvested from the patient so no antibiotic coverage is necessary. Swelling may occur following your surgical procedure and typically peaks approximately 2-3 days after the procedure.

How do they remove stent from mouth?

How do you remove a stent after a gum graft?

Do not rinse your mouth vigorously for two days. If you feel you must loosen food debris, you may rinse gently with weak salt water. Begin to brush the NON-SURGICAL areas the day following surgery, remembering to rinse very gently. You may begin to brush the surgical area two days after surgery.

What is a mouth stent?

Dental implant surgical guides and stents are used to position dental implants (root form); to ensure that the implant is placed in the most ideal location, angulation and depth into the bone. They are usually made out of clear acrylic and fit over your existing teeth and or pink gum tissue.

How do I know if my gum graft failed?

Usually, you can tell you have a failed gum graft because you will have a large white patch of white tissue that has come off the tooth. Sometimes it may even look like the gum graft is falling off.

When can I brush my teeth after a gum graft?

Protection of the gum graft is VERY IMPORTANT to ensure a successful “take” of the procedure. 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.

How do you clean a palatal stent?

Wear your customized palatal stent/guard for at least 72 hours: This protective soft tray was fabricated specifically for your comfort and safety. If you need to clean the device, gently remove it from your mouth, rinse it with cold water, and immediately replace the device.

Can I drive home after a gum graft?

For the most part, patients can drive themselves home after a gum graft. Local anesthesia (novocain) is typically used to numb the areas where the procedure takes place. In some cases, patients opt for a sedative. In this case, transportation will need to be arranged to travel home from the dentist's office.

How long does a gum graft procedure take?

How long does the procedure take? When arriving at our dental office for a gum grafting procedure, you can expect the entire process to take about 1-1.5 hours. While the surgery itself should take no longer than one hour, it is best to allow for extra time to ensure you are comfortable.

How long does it take a gum graft to attach?

You should be fully healed from a gum graft in one to two weeks. You'll need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your periodontist a week or so after the procedure so that they can make sure you're healing properly and the graft is successful. After about two weeks, you should be able to brush and floss again.

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.

Is there an alternative to gum grafting?

One of the more popular alternatives to having a traditional gum graft performed is a newer procedure called the Pinhole Surgical Technique. Much like orthoscopic/laparoscopic surgery, this minimally invasive procedure corrects gum recession by making a small hole in your gumline.

Do gum grafts look natural?

I was always unhappy with the gum graft techniques that were taught and used by the majority of periodontists who performed gum grafts. The gum grafts rarely looked natural, even after they had healed, and the whole process was very uncomfortable and painful for the patient.

What can't you do after a gum graft?

AVOID PEROXIDE, ALCOHOL, CARBONATED BEVERAGES, AND DRINKING THROUGH A STRAW. After 24 Hours. You may have soft foods, such as cooked vegetables, fish, pasta, and meatloaf, which are easily chewed. You should use utensils and avoid chewing at the surgical site for 2 weeks.

How long should you avoid talking after gum graft surgery?

Your periodontist will ask you to keep the gauze in place for the first 40 to 50 minutes, reducing the risk of bleeding. You should also refrain from speaking. While you may feel up to chatting, it's best to wait 2 or 3 days unless otherwise advised by a dentist.

Can you smile after gum graft surgery?

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.