Gum Surgery: What to Know About Periodontal Surgery (2023)

FAQs

How long does it take to recover from periodontal surgery? ›

Recovery usually takes one week to two weeks, but it may take longer. Gum grafting has a good success rate and can reduce your risk of severe gum disease.

The procedure involves lifting the gums off of the teeth to remove tartar buildup. After the surgeon has cleaned the area and removed the tartar, they will stitch the gums into place to fit around the teeth. Sometimes, the bone may require reshaping during this procedure.

What is the most common problem patients experience after periodontal surgery? Pain, swelling, infection, and bleeding are all possible side effects of any surgical procedure. Root hypersensitivity and gingival recession are also possible after surgery.

A couple of weeks before your procedure, you may need to stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin), pain relievers, and blood thinners. Most dentists advise not smoking or drinking alcohol at least 24 hours before the procedure.

Postoperative complications of surgical therapy can include bleeding, pain, and infection. Long-term negative outcomes may include a loss of periodontal attachment, gingival recession, and tooth sensitivity.

No straw for the next 2-3 days! 3rd day until 2 weeks after surgery: A very soft food diet should only be eaten (Pasta, soups, eggs, fish, cooked soft vegetables, oatmeal, rice, beans etc.) Avoid any hard, spicy, crusty, coffee or acidic foods. Chewing should be done on the side opposite the surgical site.

The actual gum grafting procedure is painless. This is because a local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area. A periodontist, who is a dental specialist in gum disease and the gums, typically performs this procedure. You may instead feel some movement or pressure as your periodontist performs the procedure.

Anesthesia. A local anesthetic will be used near the affected gum area. Your periodontist may recommend conscious sedation. You will be awake, but will have no anxiety during the surgery.

Deep teeth cleaning can be uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be painful. You dentist will give you a local anesthetic, either in the form of a gel or an injection, so you shouldn't feel any pain during the procedure.

DO NOT manipulate any stitches at the GUM GRAFT SITE. These stitches are resorbable and will dissolve in 4 to 7 days. The HARVEST SITE will have either a liquid band-aid or resorbable stitches. The liquid band-aid will chip away over the next 1-2 weeks.

Should I have periodontal surgery? ›

If the gingivitis is minor in nature, it may be possible to heal the gums by simply performing a cleaning. If the gum disease is left untreated, it may be necessary to schedule surgery. This is why it is important to visit a dentist at the first sign of a problem and seek treatment right away.

It is not unusual to have discomfort for at least the first week following your surgical procedure. If necessary you will be given a prescription for medication to help you tolerate the post-surgical recovery period. Please take your medications as directed.

Medications most commonly used are Fentanyl (opiate), Versed (benzodiazepine), Ketamine, and Diprivan. Supplemental oxygen is delivered through a nasal breathing apparatus and the patient's vital signs are closely monitored. Usual Indications General anesthesia is available for all types of oral surgery.

Nothing to eat or drink for eight (8) hours prior to surgery. Please take regular medications prescribed by your physician as usual with very little water as early in the day as possible, unless instructed otherwise.

Don't eat anything while your mouth is still numb. Don't eat sharp, crunchy, grainy, or challenging foods on the first day. Don't drink hot beverages for about 48 hours. Don't rinse your mouth for about 48 hours.

Periodontal Treatment Success Rate

The overall success rate of both surgical and nonsurgical options is at around 87%.

Surgical treatments

If you have advanced periodontitis, treatment may require dental surgery, such as: Flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery). Your periodontist makes tiny incisions in your gum so that a section of gum tissue can be lifted back, exposing the roots for more effective scaling and root planing.

Instead, you will require special ongoing gum and bone care procedures, known as Periodontal Maintenance Therapy, to keep the disease under control and keep your mouth healthy. In most cases, Periodontal Disease is a lifelong disease that never goes away.

A: You may resume brushing and flossing all teeth except the surgical area 24 hours after surgery. Avoid brushing the surgical area until your stitches are removed or have dissolved depending on the type of stitches placed for your procedure.

Cold or warm temperature foods are recommended for the first day. Coffee or tea can be consumed if it is not hot. After the first day, stay on a soft but balanced diet.

Can you talk after periodontal surgery? ›

Your periodontist will ask you to keep the gauze in place for the first 40 to 50 minutes, reducing the risk of bleeding. You should also refrain from speaking. While you may feel up to chatting, it's best to wait 2 or 3 days unless otherwise advised by a dentist.

Pain. The area of the gum graft will be tender for a day or two, and sensitive to hot or cold drinks and hard foods for a several weeks afterward.

Deep cleaning typically doesn't require numbing your mouth; the dentist will decide whether to numb your mouth based on the condition of your teeth's roots and the depth of the pockets. If you do feel any discomfort or pain, let your dentist know.

AVOID PEROXIDE, ALCOHOL, CARBONATED BEVERAGES, AND DRINKING THROUGH A STRAW. After 24 Hours. You may have soft foods, such as cooked vegetables, fish, pasta, and meatloaf, which are easily chewed. You should use utensils and avoid chewing at the surgical site for 2 weeks.

If you're going to have anesthesia, your dentist will recommend that you do not eat or drink anything for at least eight hours prior to your surgery. If you need to take medication, only use a small sip of water if necessary. Doing so will help you to avoid any risk of aspiration during surgery.

Periodontal Disease treatment cost ranges from $1,700 - $8,000, and teeth extractions average $200.00-$300.00 per tooth. The first treatment option is root scaling and planning. If this is not effective, surgery is needed, potentially using pocket reduction and bone grafting.

This is a difficult question to answer, as it depends on the severity of your gum disease. You may need only a one-hour long office visit, or you could need a two-hour appointment; some patients need multiple appointments because we determine it's best to do one quadrant of the mouth at a time.

The cleaning process typically takes less than 30 minutes to finish, with some lasting up to an hour. The cleaning appointment's duration is largely determined by the teeth's and gums' condition and the type of cleaning needed by the patient.

A deep dental cleaning session lasts approximately 45 minutes. Gum disease that has advanced beyond this stage is called periodontitis, which affects the bones and tissues that keep your teeth in place. Your gums may recede, and pockets may develop between teeth and gums.

Does getting stitches out hurt? No, if you don't squirm around and just stay still, you really shouldn't feel anything at all except the little tug as each stitch is lifted up and cut. And actually, if your stitches have sagged or loosened up any at all, you may not even feel that.

How do you sleep after a gum graft? ›

Following oral surgery, we recommend that you sleep with your head and shoulders propped up above your heart level. Add an extra pillow or two to your bed or to the place where you will be resting. If you have a recliner, this is also an excellent way to keep your head elevated.

Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that can lead to tooth loss and other serious health complications. Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports your teeth.

For most procedures, most patients report 2-3 ibuprofen( Motrin or Advil) or 1-2 extra-strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) is adequate to control pain.

It is concluded that pre operative prophylactic administration of antibiotic is a pre requisite to prevent the postoperative bacteremia and its possible sequelae following periodontal surgery. Amoxicillin is highly effective in preventing such post operative bacteremia.

Your dentist will then inject the anesthetic into the area he/she wants numb. You will rarely ever feel the needle. The only sensation most people feel is the sting of the medicine moving into your tissues. These anesthetics can last as long as several hours.

Intraoral local anesthesia is essential for delivering dental care. However, it is often perceived by some patients as the most painful and in some instances as the only painful part of the treatment, leading in extreme cases to avoidance of dental care.

Your dentist will recommend salt water rinses with warm salt water, 4 to 5 times a day for 7 to 14 days. Gently rinse your mouth with a mixture of a half teaspoon of salt in an eight ounce glass of warm, not hot, water. No swishing - this can disrupt healing.

Within a week the gums will start to heal and reattach to the roots of the teeth. The initial discomfort should be gone. Full recovery and reattachment can take up to 6 or 8 weeks, but patients are usually back to normal eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing within the first week.

Your gums and teeth will be healing and sensitive after a deep cleaning, so avoiding certain foods is recommended. These are some foods that could interrupt the healing process and should be avoided following the procedure: Acidic foods like oranges and tomatoes. Challenging foods like steaks or large burgers.

Can you keep your teeth with periodontitis? ›

Saving teeth from periodontal disease is possible if you detect the signs and symptoms early or regularly visit your dentist for cleanings and exams. Let the condition progress unhindered, and tooth loss should be considered as an eventuality.

Throughout your surgery, you can expect to feel no pain whatsoever, as the anesthesia will ensure you are thoroughly numb. However, once you are home and the effects have worn off, it is not uncommon to experience some soreness and discomfort.

The short answer is no, the procedure is not painful. You will experience discomfort upon completion but the actual process can be completed with the administration of a local anesthetic to the soft tissue to minimize any unpleasant feelings during the process.

DO NOT chew or bite in the area. Generally, there are no restrictions on your diet, but depending upon the location of the graft, this may modify your usual biting and chewing patterns. AVOID hard, chewy or spicy foods, since they will aggravate bleeding, especially in the donor site (palate).

Anesthesia. A local anesthetic will be used near the affected gum area. Your periodontist may recommend conscious sedation. You will be awake, but will have no anxiety during the surgery.

Periodontal treatment is very important. It does prevent tooth loss, which can be caused by periodontitis. This treatment also prevents other issues caused by periodontitis, like heart attack risks. You should talk to your dentist if you suspect periodontitis.

The simple answer is no. You need healthy, strong gums to get a dental implant. Like we mentioned before, gum disease weakens and dissolves this tissue and bone. So even after you've treated the disease, your gum tissue and jawbone may not be strong enough to support an implant.