gum graft after surgery

I see totally mixed reviews on people's experiences with the gum graft. I had one yesterday. I had it at 10am, I was out of the chair by 10:45. The numbness started to wear off after an hour in which I took Ibuprofen. I was afraid to eat anything (even soft foods) until hunger set in at 7pm. I ate mac and cheese and the the putty covering my palette wound fell off. I called my doctor and he said that it was fine. He said if it bled, to apply a tea bag to the palette for 20 minutes. So far didn't need to do that. My graft was applied to my front bottom tooth. My chin feels like I was punched and my bottom lip is very sensitive. The putty covering the wound is still in tact, so I have no idea if it is healing properly. I have followed the doctor's instructions to a T. I just hope the graft takes and isn't "dead". I don't want to do this again. I would say that other than my worry about the graft attaching, I am not in too much pain and if this is a successful transplant of tissue I will look back on this as a piece of cake. The waiting though is killing me. %-)

I've had 2 children, both of them at a time when the epidural was not a norm so I did not have anesthesia; I've had two stapedectomies (middle ear surgery involving the removal of the stapes, one of the small bones in the middle ear); I've had two breast biopsies, etc., but NOTHING, NOTHING compares to this in pain and discomfort. I'm actually surprised they practice this type of surgery in this place and time (Canada, 2009!!!!). The surgery itself is not a big deal because you are sedated, the real pain begins 4 days after...and in my case it has been just HORRIBLE, no exaggeration, and I'm on codeine every 4 hours. My advise to you is: Don't do it. I would have never done it had I known that it implies being totally knocked out and useless for...so far... 5 working days (and God knows how many more). I had a minor recession in the gum on two lower teeth, I'm 52, the lession was hardly visible, I think dentists use scare tactics....In my case this horrible pain totally outweighs the benefits.

I had gum grafting surgery 3 days ago. So far, I have absolutely no pain (I do take 800 mgs. of ibupropin 3 X per day and use some prescription mouthwash.) I have some swelling, but nothing anyone but me notices. I am a psychologist and talk all day long -- I went back to work the next day with no real problems other than my mouth feeling very very wierd and a little swollen. I went out to dinner last night and ate soft but regular food.
The site of the grafting, my tooth, and the roof of my mouth feel tender if I touch them with my tongue on the inside or on the outside with my finger, but I don't have any pain at all if I leave them alone.
I haven't and don't intend to look at any of it!

I had my tissue graft surgery two weeks ago yesterday. I only had some discomfort the night of the surgery but that quickly went away with Lodine (a NON narcotic pain reliever). I took the Lodine for a day and a half only because the doctor said to take it whether there was pain or not. I have had no pain since.
Oh, I should mention that I had cadaver tissue grafted into my gum instead of it being cut out of the roof of my mouth...both GROSS and NICE!!! hehe The reason I needed a graft was due to having had my tongue pierced for 10 years with a very large ball. The tongue ring has been out for just under 3 years now and the recession was still pretty bad AND the tooth was loose! My dentist said that the only thing I could do was get the graft. That brings me back to now...
No alcohol, no straws, no soda, no eating with my front teeth, NO BRUSHING or FLOSSING my front bottom teeth! ACK!
I SURVIVED ALL of that... A few times a piece of food would hit the "boo boo" and I did brush and floss it once (ON ACCIDENT, I ASSURE YOU). I freaked out, thought I had ruined the whole thing. I was convinced of that! I couldn't imagine having to do it all over again when it healed. Not to mention the cost...lol
Well, My appointment was yesterday and the doctor said that it looks great! It's healing just the way it should and that the 'fluffy white stuff' that is on top of the 'boo boo' will slough off when it's time. He removed 2 of the 3 stitches which means I have to go back for the 3rd one next week. I can NOT wait for this to be done. I can now drink alcohol but NOT with a straw and not mixed with soda...LOL I like my alcohol mixed with soda and with a straw!!! HA!
I had NO idea how major this whole ordeal would be. It was simple, as well. Can't explain other than to say that there was NO pain and Lots of worry that I messed it up...lol

Wow, glad to read I'm not the only one who has gone through a bad recovery. I had my lower front tooth done 7 days ago. The surgery was a piece of cake (I would even call it relaxing), with only minimal soreness for the next two days.

I have read that there are three ways to get donor tissue for the graft: 1) using artificial graft (Alloderm), 2) harvesting only the connective tissue from under a "flap" in the roof of the mouth, then stitching the flap closed so there's no exposed palate, and 3) harvesting both the lining of the roof of the mouth with the underlying connective tissue, leaving a patch of exposed palate. I would be willing to bet that most people who have written that their recovery "wasn't so bad" or "wasn't painful at all" probably didn't get #3 done. I did, and I was expecting pain, but this is worse than I could have ever imagined. I consider myself to have a very high pain tolerance...piercings, 6 years of orthodontics, impacted molar removal, wisdom teeth removal, plus I'm diabetic so I stick myself 10+ times a day with needles. This is worse than any pain I've ever had to endure.

The morning of the third day after the surgery, the "band-aid"-type packing over the donor site came off. A small piece of gauze was still there so it wasn't so bad. That night, the gauze had gradually (and painfully) come off, leaving a raw, exposed rectangular piece of palate about 1/2-inch by 1/4 inch or so. Since the evening of the third day, this site has caused me horrible burning pain every time it is touched by my tongue or any food or drink. I was expecting this to last maybe a day or two, but when I woke up on the morning of day FIVE still in all-mouth-encompassing pain, I broke down crying. I had figured that if I was patient, the pain would decrease over a few days, but here it was 5 days out and I was still waking up in agony. Little did I know that it wouldn't be going away anytime soon either...it's now 2 days LATER and there has been NO improvement!! I take advil and tylenol three times a day and once overnight, but they don't even touch the burning pain. The only thing that soothes it is benzocaine paste (orabase), which numbs the area, but only lasts for 20 minutes or so. I have to put it on every time I eat, but of course eating and drinking just rubs it off and then the pain begins again.

I am so tired of not being able to eat or drink anything without using the benzocaine, and I can't speak because every time my tongue touches the raw patch on the roof of my mouth (which is every word), the pain radiates up my cheek and down into my throat. I am going back to the periodontist on Thursday to have the graft stitches out (the graft itself, by the way, hurt for 3-4 days but is now just a little sore--not a major problem). I wonder if he schedules stitch removal 10 days out from the surgery so that people don't come in and complain to him that their donor site hasn't healed yet... %-)

For anyone else who had this procedure done and had this experience with their donor site, how long does it last?? I'll try to come back to this site when (if) my pain finally goes away and let you know.

So, my mom always told me that if I'm going to complain, I should also offer suggestions on how to improve the thing I'm complaining about. ;-) So here's my suggestion: find a periodontist who performs procedures #1 or 2 above!! Either get the one where they stitch the roof of your mouth closed after they harvest the graft, or get the artificial graft!!!! Otherwise you're in for more than a week of extreme pain.

I had my bottom two front teeth done today. The office told me the lower front teeth were the most common to get done. I was in the periodontist's chair for about 3 hours. The procedure was surprisingly long, multi-stepped, aggressive/forceful at times... but absolutely no pain. I felt nothing except for slight twinges of the anaesthesia injections -- similar to injections for getting a filling from a dentist -- and from some minor mishaps of tools scraping against a non-frozen part of gum, or pinching of lip against teeth -- you know, normal stuff.

The Dr. prescribed vicodin (hydrocodone) to be taken as needed for pain, and Penicillin V/K (they assume there will be infection). Once the anaesthesia wore off, the area of the graft became sore, but the donor area felt fine. I'd call it discomfort, soreness, but not outright difficult pain. The oral bandages that were used on both parts of the mouth are like a plasticine that cover several teeth. The donor area was off to the left side, matching the side of the mouth of the graft -- that way, I can eat on my right side without disturbing the "bandages".

I have an appointment in 5 days for the stitches to be removed. They say it is recommended 5-7 days for stitch removal. The Dr. said the bandage of the donor area could come off in a few days, before our appointment, and not to worry. It's really the area of the graft we need to treat gingerly, because we need the graft to "take" - be absorbed and accepted by the receiving gum tissue. I'm on my second vicodin pill now, 7 hours after the procedure finished. I'm quite comfortable when the pill is in force, and a little uncomfortable when it is not.

No exercise for 2 weeks, no bending over, and staying VERY low key for a couple days. Any increase in blood pressure in the head area could break the coagulation and start bleeding from the wounds.

I did a lot of visualization exercises before the procedure, for low blood flow to the area during the procedure, maximum comfort, and rapid healing. I brought an iPod to the surgery with me, and played some tracks I have from Hemi-Sync, a company that produces guided meditations and music with special sound combinations that lower one's brain waves into deeply relaxed states. I was half asleep for half of the procedure and was very pleased with my state of mind, and lack of any stress or anxiety. This is key to rapid healing. I'm a hypnotherapist, so I'm able to effectively do this on myself, but for others you may want to book an appointment with a hypnotherapist prior to surgery, and consider getting such recordings.

I trust my recovery will be smooth and easy. I plan to sleep a LOT, and fully enjoy my vicodin highs (its my first time on vicodin).

I am part of the camp that says don't get too freaked out by the procedure. I think the anxiety prior to the procedure was worse than the recovery (I didn't sleep much the night before...). I had two of my lower front teeth done 9 days ago. The whole procedure was about 35-45 mins. The only part I could feel pain for was the novocaine injections. Everything else was a pressure sensation. The worst of the pressures was when the periodontist was running stitches from front to back of the teeth, under the gum line. Thankfully, my doc uses stints for his grafts, so I had a nice plastic cover for the roof of my mouth that I could easily take out to clean and add benzocaine topical anisthetic to to reduce pain. I also had the gum-like material placed over the recipient site, which didn't come off until yesterday. Having said that, I really only had pain at the donor site and very little sensation at the recipient site. Speaking of donor site pain, I didn't have any substantial pain there until the 4th or 5th day. My doc warned that this is the most sever pain of the recovery, which I would say is accurate. Has something to do with the nerves repairing themselves and "coming back online" so to speak. My only concern is with the recipient site. It looks like a lighter-color tissue with a bubble kind of shape. I have read in other posts that this is considered normal. Being the weekend, I'm going to call my doc tomorrow and clarify that. My biggest fear would be having this procedure done AGAIN because the 1st go-around didn't go entirely as planned! I took 3 "sick days" from work to relax, though I felt pretty good and these were mostly precautionary sick days. I was still able to do chores, errands, etc. So in summary, while this procedure is not so "routine" as a cavity, it is still a surgical procedure that involves cutting and stitches, so BE PREPARED for this. Again, this is mostly a "psych-out" for most people. My doc used plenty of novocaine and was very informative and helpful. I'm planning on a continued steady recovery. And oh yeah, I didn't have any post-op bleeding at all! This was surprising because I had some uncontrolled bleeding after my wisdom teeth were removed a few yeasr ago. Hope this helps you guys!

Had gum graft done this afternoon - now 10.30 pm and I'm pleasantly surprised. The thoughts of having it done was definitely the worst part. felt nothing but a little a bit of pressure during the procedure, have kind of gum shield on over the operated area, like putty but not uncomfortable. Numbness has gone down now and i haven't had to take a pain killer yet - here's hoping that will continue. Just be prepared to feel a bit woozy after the surgery, good idea not to drive afterwards and just go straight home to bed for a rest. if you're really uptight prior to the surgery i would suggest taking a xanax to help you relax. But really nothing to worry about.

I have had a total of 4 grafts done at different times and I had issues with the first when my "scab" fell off the roof of my mouth -- hurt beyond imagine! I said I'd never go through the pain again. Second one was easy, no complications. The third one I developed an infection and lost 10 pounds because the roof of my mouth didn't have a covering so I couldn't talk or eat. This last one, I still have swelling, numbness, and lots of pain on day 3 which I think should have subsided by now. Due to the infection the last time, the Periodontist started me on antibiotics right away but I am thinking they aren't working. I am just glad it was my last one because each surgery seems more painful and more complicated. I still cant feel my lip or chin and my jaw hurts like crazy still! A stent (soft plastic removable plate on my roof) helps a great deal. I can eat with it. I had it made at the dental school where I had my first two grafts and didn't find it for the third (when I had so much pain on the roof). I have it for the fourth and it makes a huge difference - at least for the pain on the roof. P.S., the only pain meds that have worked is ibuprofen (Motrin). Vicodin, Darvocet, and Tylenol #3 didn't touch the pain the third time around.

I've had two gum grafts done. Back in April of this year I had a gum graft done on my bottom front two teeth. I was worried to DEATH prior to the surgery, but it ended up being a piece of cake. My periodontist was EXTREMELY nice and she made me feel very comfortable. She gave me an ibprofen before the surgery. I thought the worst part was the shots to numb me, and not even that was too bad. So as she began working I didn't feel A THING. The procerdure was about an hour and it went well! I could feel her scraping and cutting away, but it didn't hurt - just a bit uncomfortable, not painful..there's a big difference. (It helps to let your mind wander onto other things, or if like my periodontist, has a conversation with the assistant or tells you things to keep you ocupied) After the surgery she placed a puddy type material (it kind of looks like gum) on the hole in my pallet so it doesn't bother me to eat and such. My enitre chin was numb for a few hours and I was pretty tired, so I went home and went to bed. When I woke up I felt fine and continued my daily activites the next day. She told me to keep my talking, smiling, and laughing limited for the next few days as not to disturb any of the process. Well, all in all, the graft took beautifuly and I didn't feel any pain at all after the surgery. I didn't even need to take the Vicodin perscribed, and I only took the ibprofen for the first 72 hours after the surgery. She said this was necessary to "stay ahead" of the pain, and after the 72 hours I could take it as needed. Well I didn't need it any more. Also I was told it was very important to use this special mouthwash perscribed twice a day so it didn't get infected.

WELL...my second gum graft was about 3 and a half days ago. Same procedure took place, just on my two bottom teeth to the LEFT of my front teeth on the bottom. Like I said, same procedure but she went a "little deeper" this time. And she said she pulled the stitches really tight. I haven't felt any intense pain, but it hasn't been going just as well as the first surgery. If I don't keep up with my ibprofen I get a rather mild feeling in my pallet and where the skin was grafted on...kind of like the feeling when as a child you had lose teeth and would wiggle them. Nothing terrible. BUT THERE IS SOMETHING CONCERNING ME A BIT...where the skin was placed, it's kind of white looking but as it gets farther back it looks reddish. I'm wondering if that's just bread or something or if it's not taking? Is that normal? I didn't really look at my last one too much. They're on vacation next week so I'm going back after two weeks instead of one. It kind of concerns me a bit...it looks kind of white and ugly. She did say there were some more ridges from where she took it out of the roof this time...she said she tried to get most of them out but they might grow back. Could that be it not causing it to take? i'm just not sure...

You people who had bad experiences should come to Canada for gum grafts!
I had it done last Friday, and it all went very well. The graft was under my bottom four front teeth, so laughing and anything that has to do with chin muscles is a bit painful, but really, that doesn't prevent me from doing anything.

The graft skin was taken from my palate right next to my molar teeth, and that area was covered in putty, so I don't feel a thing. It's been 6 days now and the putty is still in place.

As for the grafted area, it's almost all healed up now and it looks very fine. I was able to eat soft foods like yogurt and veggie puree as soon as I came home, and the next day I tried on some risotto and barley soup, and had no problem chewing as long as I went slow.

I took the prescribed painkillers right after the graft fearing for the pain, but I found out that Tylenol works just fine. In fact, I took medicine only 3-4 times, mostly at night to help me sleep. There is really no pain if you keep quiet for the first couple of days.

As for the bleeding, the day of the graft I found that bending over so that blood comes to my head makes the graft bleed, but again, you just have to not do that. Didn't bleed after that episode.

And they tell me front teeth grafts are more painful than those on the sides... so it's really a walk in the part, don't fear going to your parodontist!

Did you have a connective tissue graft or free gingival graft? I don't have any putty, just stitches on the roof of my mouth and some glue. I had the connective tissue graft yesterday and am wondering what to expect in terms of recovery, like when the stitches fall out etc, and when I can eat normally again!!!

I had gum graft surgery yesterday (top right). I can honestly say that the procedure was ENTIRELY painless and still is (24 hrs later). Some swelling to my cheek but NO PAIN. Must be careful what I eat (this is an added bonus as far as i am concerned!!) but again can manage soft foods like pasta, scrambled egg etc without any trouble. Must say was expecting it to be so much worse than it actually was. I return to the dentist in a week and presumably he will remove stitches then.

I had a gum graft last week and removed that little thing that hooks your bottom lip to your gum. I didn't feel a thing during the procedure (not any of the shots- thanks to "hurricane" as the dr called it). And I wasn't in any real pain, took some pain reliever before, took it once after and it's been ok. Wore a retainer for the first 5 days to protect the roof of my mouth, perhaps that helped w/ the pain?

I had gun grafting surgery 5 days ago. The procedure itself wasn't bad. Just kept my eyes closed and wore my ipod. My concern now is that I'm having trouble talking and can't smile. Did anyone else have this problem, and if so, how long did it last? I feel like a freak. Thanks.