Say what? Gum graft!

"I need a what?"

I had a gum graft 1 week ago...and you should not freak out if you need one!

I had a connective tissue graft on on of my left lower molars....probably due to braces, aggressive brushing, and teeth grinding my gums have receded...but particularly in this one area.  So, I had a consult with a periodontist and it was go time!

I was nervous beyond belief, did internet research, read other people's blogs...and freaked more.  I completely understood the procedure.  I did not watch any videos of the procedure or any horror blogs...I knew better.  But, I did read the positive ones!  People tend to post/comment on negative experiences...I just needed to hear the good!

Long story short...

I did have my husband come with me, in fact he was in the room the whole time.  Although I could have driven myself and been alone...you don't need anyone, unless you are sedated or something.  My doctor would give people a little Lorazepam if you were nervous, but for the procedure they have laughing gas if you want it and then the mouth shots for numbing. 

My thoughts...schedule your appointment first thing in the morning, then you don't have to think about it all day.  They call you back right away (the office was just like a dentist office...not hospitally or anything...) then they will give you gas if you want.  I tried the gas, but didn't particularly care for the "floating feeling", so she turned it off and said just to breathe oxygen and it was out of my system that quick...

The shots...no one loves them, but they numb your gums first and then it's done.  Of course you have to get one in the roof of your mouth.  Once again, sure it isn't my first choice of things to do on a Friday night, but it is quick and just a pinch. Then you feel nothing...

The first thing he did was cut the flap in the roof of my mouth, I imagined I would have a clue as to his hand movements and such when he was cutting and stuff.  Um yea....no.  All of a sudden okay, I'm just going to close that flap up!  And then he was like a quick fly fisherman making a delicate lure.  I didn't see any blood throughout the whole thing...just string coming from my mouth...

Then he gave me a moment and came back to place the gum graft on the area which  needed the tissue.  He apparently created a pocket and placed the gum tissue in it.  (Felt none of this nor knew what happened)...then he was a master fisherman again.  The assistant always had suction going and I know there was blood and she would ask if I was okay as well...and I always was.  So, about 1 hour later, I was done.  I honestly thought...wow, that was not a big deal.

I took it easy the next few days.  I had two pain killers prescribed.  No antibiotic.  He gave me a steroid shot at the end which would last for 2 days.

No exercise for 3 days and no hard foods for awhile.  I went back to work on Friday, and left early.  I just felt like the talking was bothering my jaw, so I decided...why push it and went home.  I used an ice pack also, I wanted to help with the swelling/healing process as much as possible. Well, things were going pretty well.  I could brush everywhere but right on the area or near where the flap was sewn shut.

I heard that the roof of your mouth from the flap area is what is sore/achy afterwords.  Mine was not.  I felt no discomfort with the roof of my mouth.  I looked in the mirror and just had a short little line of stitches...that's it!  And they dissolved within about 4 days.

So, here comes my complication.  The stitches on the roof of your mouth for the flap are dissolvable, but the ones on the graft site are not.  I was brushing my teeth before work (they also give you a Rx mouth rinse to use...) and I noticed some stitches in it.  So I look into my mouth and see puss around my tooth that had been grafted on.  I thought..."well shit". 

Called the doctor, went in that day.  Yea...infected.  He advised infections are not common and he doesn't have them much, he advised that I may have been brushing too close to the graft area and irritated it causing the infection.   So, he put me on 1500 mg of Amoxicillan per day and that was that.  Well, it has been about 3 days later it is still hurting me good.  I woke up last night again after the pain meds wore off and had to take more pain meds and get my trusty ice pack.

In my non-medical mind, I should be feeling better...maybe there is something else wrong, or maybe the amoxicillin isn't working...it is over used right?!  I swear I heard someone say that!
So, called them...they got me back in the next day and he felt that the infection was getting better and I had no more puss and the swelling was just bothering me.  He decided to remove the stitches as he said they weren't holding it together anymore. 

Right now, I can feel some relief.  He mentioned that the stitches can put pressure on it and cause discomfort.  He also encouraged me to try and be patient to give the antibiotic more time.  (easy for him to say)....so, here I am giving it a bit more time.  I think the worst part about getting the infection is that I did lose part of my grafted area.  He cannot say for sure how much or if he will have to re-graft or just mess with the tissue as the area is still too swollen, but that sucks anyways.

But, it is what it is.

So, my situation only got crappy because of the infection.  Other than that...I can still say a gum graft is not a big deal!  My gum was so receded and thin it looked nasty (although only I could see it when I pulled my gum back.. ;) and it did hurt.  It would get sore randomly.  The main reason for me getting the graft was so that my tooth didn't get any cavities since my root was exposed and to save the tooth as you can loose it due to the gum tissue receding away!  I am not in my 30's yet!  I know it is important to save your chompers!

Final thoughts....

1) Get a doctor you really like and who is really patient and has an awesome staff
2) Get an ice pack that wraps around your head
3) Sleep with your head elevated a bit
4) Get soups, mac n cheese, chicken in rice, yogurts and applesauce
 before hand
5) Try not to play with your stitches using your tongue (it is oddly hard not to do but can cause irritation


  Here is the roof of my mouth the day of...see...just a row of stitches...I have a before and will have an after of the graft site once I am all healed...













I could tell you so much more...but this is getting way to long!  I'd love to answer any questions if you have them! 

-S