How Painful is a Free Gingival Graft Procedure?
A free gingival graft is a procedure that is used in an effort to stop further gum recession. Tissue is harvested from the roof of the patient's mouth which is then placed along the affected gum line. During the procedure, you will be numb and possibly sedated if you so choose so you will not feel any pain. Pain from a free gingival graft is typically experienced after the procedure, once the anesthetic wears off.
What is the procedure for a free gingival graft?
Free gingival grafting is used to prevent further gum recession and to encourage healthy tissue growth. The procedure will involve two incision sites: the donor site and the recipient site. Your doctor will numb both areas before making an incision and proceeding with the surgery. They will use tissue harvested from the roof of your mouth which is then sutured into place at the affected area along the gum line. Depending on the number of teeth being treated, the procedure will take about an hour per tooth. The procedure itself is painless because you will be numb in every area being worked on.
How painful is a free gingival graft?
As far as gum grafting is concerned, the free gingival graft is one of the more painful to recover from but the procedure itself is painless, thanks to anesthetic. On a scale of 1 to 10, many patients report pain at about six or seven once the anesthetic wears off. Other types of gum grafting include connective tissue grafting, donor tissue grafting, and pinhole procedure. These other types may be less painful to recover from but are not always the best treatment option, depending on the area being treated.
These other techniques are minimally invasive in comparison to a free gingival graft but it is important to receive treatment as advised for the best results.
As with most dental issues, the easiest way to avoid painful treatment is to prevent it from being necessary in the first place. While a free gingival graft is often used for patients who simply do not have sufficient gum tissue to cover their teeth appropriately, it is an effective way to avoid gum recession which can cause bone loss in teeth mobility.
If you suspect you could benefit from a free gingival graft, speak with your dentist to see what they think. If they believe that you are a candidate, they will provide a referral to a periodontist for a full periodontal evaluation. The periodontist is the doctor that would perform the grafting procedure for you and they can help you determine if a free gingival graft is the best procedure for your individual case or if you would be better served with a different treatment.