When you have receding gums and tooth sensitivity, your periodontist may suggest a gum graft. This treatment can quickly restore the appearance and health of your smile. There are three types of grafts to treat receding gums: free gingival, connective tissue, and pedicle. Though connective tissue grafts are the most common.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Your Receding Gums Procedure
Before: Once you’ve scheduled your surgery for receding gums in Jacksonville Beach, FL, you can begin to prepare.
Fortunately, there are no diet restrictions but you may be given prescription medication for discomfort, which means that you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home.
During: Your periodontist will use a local anesthetic to numb the receding gums treatment area. If you are having a connective tissue graft, your doctor will then take donor tissue from another area of the mouth and use it to cover receding gums. It will be stitched into place, where it will eventually integrate with the existing tissue. The free gingival graft is performed in a similar manner, while the pedicle graft uses tissue surrounding the treatment site as donor tissue.
After: The soft tissue surrounding the treatment area may be swollen and tender after your gum graft. Healing can take weeks, so you may be encouraged to do things that promote the health of your gums, including:
- Soft foods are recommended for the first week after surgery to correct receding gums. Extreme temperatures should be avoided.
- You will not be able to brush or floss the treatment site. Your periodontist may suggest an anti-microbial rinse and possibly a salt water rinse to assist with the healing process.
- If you smoke, stop. Smoking impedes recovery.
- Do not disturb the sutures. The tissue that has been attached to your receding gums need time to reconnect.
If you are experiencing receding gums in Jacksonville Beach, FL, do not hesitate to call our office for a no-risk consultation. Dr. Darryl A. Field is an experienced periodontist who can help you restore the health of your smile after it has been affected by receding gums.
