Gum Graft
Gum Graft Cheltenham
Good oral health isn’t just about fighting cavities and tooth decay, restoring pearly whites, and aligning crooked teeth.
An often-overlooked portion of oral care is the health of gums — their appearance and condition, as well as the risk for inflammation and infection.
Together, these keep healthy, beautiful smiles.
What is a Gum Graft?
A gum graft is a quick and relatively simple dental surgery performed to correct the effects of gum recession.
It is a dental surgery in which a periodontist removes healthy gum tissues from the roof of the mouth and uses it to build the gum where it has receded.
Gum Recession
If your gums are receding, your Cheltenham dentist may recommend a gum graft. Gum recession exposes the tooth roots.
This can cause the tooth roots to become more likely to decay and be more sensitive and prone to abrasion.
A gum graft can correct receding gums.
In a gum graft, your periodontist removes a piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth or from healthy gum tissues.
They attach it to the area where your gums have worn away. This procedure is quick, and you can leave as soon as it’s done.
Gum Graft Surgery
Before the Procedure
Gum grafts do not require much preparation. It just involves a consultation with your periodontist to know how severe the recession is and the best gum grafting technique for your case.
All you need to do is arrange a ride to and from the practice, as the combined effects of anaesthesia, post-op medication, and slight discomfort can make it unsafe for you to drive or be on your own.
During
Upon arriving, you will be guided to the procedure room, where local anesthesia will be applied to numb the area.
In some cases, general anaesthesia may be applied administered, especially if you feel anxious and can relax better if unconscious.
The gum graft procedure doesn’t take long since the periodontist has already picked the donor tissue for harvesting and mapped out the graft area.
Once the stitches are made, and the graft is secure, you will be asked to rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash.
Your Cheltenham periodontist may also ask you to stay for an hour or two to ensure that the graft is successful and there are no issues.
Post-Surgery
You should be fully healed in one to two weeks.
Schedule a follow-up appointment with your Cheltenham periodontist a week or so after the procedure so that they can ensure you’re healing properly, and the gum graft is successful.
After two weeks, you should be able to brush and floss again.
Complete healing of the area may take a month or more, depending on your dental and overall health and how well you take care of your mouth during the recovery period.
Gum Graft in Cheltenham
Gum grafting won’t magically change the appearance of previously receded gums overnight.
It takes a few weeks to heal and swelling to subside, and during that time, the graft will adapt to the area.
After that, it will take another few weeks to see the full benefits — the restored appearance of the gums.
To learn more about gum graft in Cheltenham, contact us on (03) 9583 5506 or request your appointment online.
We are located at Suite C, 151 Centre Dandenong Road in Cheltenham.