Had Gum Graft on Friday !!! - Dental Health Message Board

DebbieZ · 07-01-2007, 10:45 AM

Hi,

I'm new to this board so hello to everyone. I had a problem with receding gum tissue on two of my front teeth so I had gum grafting done.

The procedure was done on Friday and went very well. I did have a lot of pain when the long anesthetic wore off so I took a very strong pain med.

My left side of is very swollen. I look like a chipmunk. Is this normal? It's very sensitive to the touch. My dentist has me on antibiotics to prevent infection so I don't think it's that.

Plus what does the graft look like in the different stages of healing? Mine started with red to white to white and brown, etc.

Just wanted to share with anyone who has had this procedure done.

Take care,

DebbieZ

Junebug08 · 07-01-2007, 12:19 PM

Hi there, I have had four gum grafts done over the last year. I did have some pretty bad swelling with each of these grafts but it subsided after about 3 days. Are you using ice? I found that helped with the swelling and also helped relieve some of the pain. I started icing as soon as I left the perio's office!

As far as what it will look like, I'm not sure I can help you at this stage. Mine was covered with putty stuff for the first week. I had to go back one week after the actual graft to have the stitches out. At that point, it was just pretty yucky looking! The area will eventually heal up, but I'm guessing this time frame will vary from person to person. But even to this day, the sites of my grafts are still whitish colored. One of my grafts didn't take and I had to have it redone. The last one I had done didn't take very well either so I imagine I'll be back to have that redone also.

Anyway, hope this helps a little and good luck!

justcallmeangel · 07-06-2007, 08:41 PM

Hi, I'm getting my graft done Friday, and I'm definitely nervous. I'm afraid of the novocaine, because I have never had it done before. I'm getting my two bottom front teeth done, but I'm just scared. What did you think of the whole procedure, pain-wise. How bad were the shots? Thanks in advance.

Junebug08 · 07-07-2007, 08:03 AM

Angel,

Sounds like you are having your grafts on the same teeth I did (2 of them anyway). The shots aren't that bad. For the shots in my gums, he used that numbing gel first so that helps out. I'm sure every perio does it different but I had about 12 shots in my gums and about 6 or 8 in the roof of my mouth. Those one in the roof of my mouth bothered me a bit, but after the first couple you can't really feel the rest. I know that sounds like a lot, but like I said, after the first couple, the rest are a piece of cake! During one of my grafts I had to have more novacaine b/c I could feel what he was doing, but that only happened once. The procedure wasn't painful for me, just a little uncomfortable thinking about what they were doing. I was in quite a bit of pain for a couple of days, but I'm glad to hear you are having it done on a Friday. That is what they suggested for me so I had the weekend to recover. That worked really well. The majority of the swelling was gone before I had to go back to work on monday. You will do fine, just try not to concentrate on what he is doing. That is where I ran into problems! Good luck and let me know if I can answer any more questions! Also, let us know how you make out!

justcallmeangel · 07-07-2007, 08:14 PM

Thanks for the tips. You're one of the few people who have made me feel a little better, instead of scaring me to death. I'll be sure to post how it went.