How Long Does it Take for a Free Gingival Graft to Heal?
There are a few different types of gum grafts that can be used to treat gum recession. Gum recession is a condition evidenced by exposed tooth roots and extreme sensitivity. When the gum tissue becomes infected with bacteria and plaque buildup, the tissue begins to pull away from the tooth surface. Free gingival grafting is one type of graft that may be used to prevent further gum recession and help restore the affected area.
A periodontist is a dental professional specializing in gum health and is the doctor who will perform your graft. The procedure takes about one hour per tooth and is performed under local anesthetic. This particular gum graft involves harvesting a piece of tissue from the roof of the patient's mouth and suturing it in place of the affected area along the gumline.
What is the recovery process after a free gingival graft?
The doctor will have placed gauze and a periodontal dressing over the sites that were worked on and after about 30 minutes, you will be able to remove the gauze, leaving the periodontal dressing. The dressing will stay in place for the first couple of days and will either fall off on its own or your doctor will remove it at your follow-up visit.
Your doctor will provide a detailed list of postoperative instructions to reduce your risk of infection and aid in the healing process.
Day 1: Immediately following surgery, you will still be numb and may not notice any symptoms until the anesthetic wears off. It is normal to experience minor bleeding and swelling along with some degree of discomfort. Your doctor will provide antibiotics to prevent infection along with pain medications to manage her discomfort.
You will be instructed to avoid strenuous activities and to stick to a soft foods diet including foods such as yogurt, pudding, or smoothies. Anything that you have to bite into or chew should be avoided to protect the graft.
While it is important to keep the area clean, it is vital that you avoid brushing or flossing at the grafting site as this can damage the graft and lead to failure. Use an antibacterial mouthwash or salt water to rinse your mouth, especially after eating.
Day 2: Keep to your soft foods diet and modified oral hygiene. By now, the bleeding should subside.
Week 1: Swelling may still be present for 3 to 4 days. You may also begin to notice some bruising which is normal and should begin to clear within a week. After a few days, you can begin to incorporate more substantial soft foods into your diet such as eggs, pasta, and well-cooked vegetables. Continue avoiding brushing or flossing at the site of the graft.
Week 2: swelling and any bruising should begin to fade and as your comfort level improves, you can begin to incorporate more solid foods into your diet. However, take care to continue avoiding especially hard or crunchy foods until your doctor clears you to return to your normal diet. They will also inform you when you can resume your regular oral hygiene routine and that it is safe to brush and floss at your graft site.
Most patients are safe to return to work or school after a day or two. Your discomfort level should be manageable with over-the-counter medication after a couple of days but if you continue to experience bleeding or your pain is not manageable, see your periodontist as soon as possible to ensure that you are not developing an infection and to make sure that the graft is healing properly.