FREE GINGIVAL GRAFT In this procedure, gum tissue is moved from
one part of the mouth (usually the surface of the roof of the mouth, close to the molars) and placed on the area where it
is needed. The surgery is done after anesthetizing the areas. The recipient site is prepared. Donor tissue
is taken and placed on the prepared recipient site. A dressing is usually placed to protect the area during the first
week of healing, and no brushing is allowed in the area of the dressing. Moderate discomfort may be present when the anesthesia
wears off. Take the first dose of your pain medication before the numbness goes away. The day after the surgery
you may need only two aspirins or Tylenol® for any discomfort, taken with lots of liquid every 3 to 4 hours as needed. Soreness
may persist for up to two weeks. Avoid irritating the surgical sites and eating spicy foods. The dressing will be
removed one week after the surgery but the graft does not heal completely until after several weeds. After the dressing
is removed you need to start gently cleaning the teeth in the area of the surgery to promote faster healing. A Q-tip®
moistened with water or a medicinal mouthrinse such as Listerine® or Peridex® should be used to rub gently the necks of the
teeth to keep the area of the surgery clean until the gums heal enough that you can brush comfortably. The success of this
type of graft to increase the amount of hard gum tissue is very high.
SUBEPITHELIAL CONNECTIVE TISSUE GRAFT.
This type of graft has been replacing the free gingival graft, and for good reasons.
The graft is more like periodontal plastic surgery since it blends with the adjacent tissue instead of looking
like a patch. The donor site leaves a small area to heal instead of a large one, and root coverage is more predictable.
Feel free to call us with any questions that you may have about grafting.
