Gum Graft/dental Procedure

I just had this done last year. My doctor did take the tissue from the roof of the mouth. He offered a couple other options, but this was the cheapest. They made a plastic retainer for me to wear to cover the spot on the roof of my mouth until it healed. It was uncomfortable, but not as bad as I expected. I took perscription strength ibuprofen for the pain which was sufficient. I was uncomfortable and limited with eating for a few days only.

My hubby does these procedures every single week. Be prepared for the swelling to be at it's worst around day 3, plan to take it easy, just common sense stuff. And do feel free contact your periodontist/specialist if you have any questions at all afterward. That is what they are there for.

Just to touch on the insurance question-a lot of dental offices have moved to that procedure of having the patient file because the offices get so incredibly bogged down with insurance foolishness that it bogs down the efficiency and productivity of the office. And the insurances don't want to pay for most specialty procedures. The office has to ensure they have payment for work done or they don't stay in business very long.

My son just had this done last Tuesday. I had heard horror stories about the graft and getting the gum from the roof of the mouth. Our periodontist told me that they no longer take the gum from the roof of the mouth because it is so incredibly thin. He instead took some gum from right behind/beside his back molar. He used a kind of 'band aid' that fell off the next day from the place he took the gum and my son never felt a thing. Who is your specialist? I know we live fairly close to each other and was wondering if maybe you're seeing the same dr. My son was given halcion about 2 hours before the procedure and then a 2nd pill an hour before because the first never affected him. The whole procedure from getting the novacaine to the final suture was 15 minutes. I don't know if it will take longer if he insists on using the gum from the roof of the mouth. His dr. also gave him some ibuprofen before he even started the procedure. My son never needed another pain med and was fine with icing it a few times the day of. We just came from his 1 week check and all looks good...the graft is nice and pink and looking good. The only foods we were told to avoid was hard, crunchy, crumbly. We also found out the hard way chewy, like bagels can cause problems too. Best of luck to you!

I had it done years ago and the area where they grafted from was extremely sensitive for a while, but can't remember how long exactly. I know that when I had it done, that my dentist had made a mold of the roof of my mouth and gave me a plastic appliance, I'd guess you call it, to protect it when you're eating. I do remember that it was only really sensitive for a few days and then started to feel a lot better after that, though I can't remember the exact recovery time...Good Luck!!

A woman I worked with had this done a few months ago. Her biggest complaint was actually that she had to pay first and then file a claim with the insurance to get her money back. She did take a half day off to get it done but was in the next day eating softer foods and taking medication but that was about it. She has to get more done and wished they could do all at once, and not have to deal with the way the dentist office handled payment.

I had this exact procedure done about 10 years ago and I love answering this question....crazy, I know.

I had prepared myself for pain worse than childbirth, difficulty eating, sore mouth, bruising, swelling, etc. As it turned out, I had barely any of it!

The day of the surgery my oral surgeon gave me a Valium just to help me relax. The surgery lasted a few hours. I felt no pain at any time. Afterwards I had a retainer type thing to cover the roof of my mouth and some play-doh like substance covering my gums down below. I took minimal pain meds afterwards and was back to work quickly....had the surgery on a Friday, back to work Monday.

I don't have a high tolerance for pain, and I can be a wimp. I really had no issues. I don't want to set you up for false hopes/expecatations. I just want to give you my account of the procedure so that you can weigh it in with others.

Good luck to you. If you have more questions, feel free to conact me.

I had this done when I was 12 and now 30 so it's been a few years. :) Yes, I do remember it being pretty painful and tender. My dad did not know to get my pain meds filled while I was in surgery and instead took me home and then went to get them. My advice is to make sure whoever takes you can fill the prescrition while you are in surgery so you an begin taking the meds right away. That is actually the most I remember about it. I don't remember having to take that much time off of school or not being able to eat for long periods like when my wisdom teeth were removed. Good Luck.

I have an area on my gums that is receding and its from getting braces. Some people are just more prone to it. My peri told me that unless its a sensitivity issue that I can wait as long as I want on having anything done about it. So for now I am choosing to wait. Mainly because I am a big fat chicken when it comes to the dentist!! You will have to let us know how it turns out! Good luck with your procedure!

Hi, Denise:

Why are your gums receding?

Just want to know. D.