How long does it take for a gum graft to fully heal? (2023)

Gum grafting recovery

How long does it take for gum grafting to attach?

You should be fully healed from a gum graft in one to two weeks. You'll need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your periodontist a week or so after the procedure so that they can make sure you're healing properly and the graft is successful. After about two weeks, you should be able to brush and floss again.

Do gums look normal after gum graft?

Gum recession can also lead to sensitive gums that bleed easily, making it embarrassing to smile after eating or brushing teeth. By adding new gum tissue with grafting, gums look even, natural, and healthy. They will also be stronger.

How do I know if my gum graft is failing?

If the gum tissue is destabilized from the recipient site, this is a sign of gum graft failure. A large white patch is typically seen around the area because the tissue has died and has failed to receive adequate vascularity from the surrounding tissues.

What does a gum graft look like while healing?

For soft tissue “gum” grafts, the site(s) may appear white during the healing process (up to 2 weeks), this is normal and not a sign of infection. The tissue will change to a pink color as it heals.

Gum Graft Recovery: How It Feels

How do I know if my gum graft is successful?

Usually, you can tell you have a failed gum graft because you will have a large white patch of white tissue that has come off the tooth. Sometimes it may even look like the gum graft is falling off.

What is the white stuff on my gum graft?

The white stuff is the necrotic gum tissue surrounding the socket. If the white stuff falls out of the socket, this is not a good sign.

What percentage of gum grafts fail?

Success or failure of graft will be determined by the periodontist or the operating surgeon. Failure happens in less than 2% of cases.

What is the success rate of gum grafting?

Gum grafting surgeries have a success rate of up to 90%. Besides, with local anesthesia, you should not experience any pain during your treatment. Afterward, your dentist will prescribe pain medication to help you manage your soreness after the numbing wears off.

Is it normal for gum grafts to turn white?

The gum tissue will undergo changes for the next 1-2 weeks. The graft color may change from pink to white. This is NORMAL.

When can I eat normally after a gum graft?

When can I eat my regular diet after a gum graft? Typically, your gum graft should heal within 14 days. After that, you can resume eating as you wish. However, the only away to know for certain is by consulting with your periodontist.

Are gum grafts worth it?

Gum grafting boasts high success rates of over 90%. This procedure gives you the best chance of treating gum recession and improving your overall oral health. Left untreated, gum recession can result in cavities, severe gum disease, tooth mobility and even eventual tooth loss.

What is the fastest way to heal a gum graft?

You can also use these five tips and a bonus tip to speed recovery from gum grafting after a PRP for gum procedure:

When does roof of mouth heal after gum graft?

The palate takes longer to heal than the gum graft and spans from six to eight weeks following the surgery. For the first few days you will experience a burning sensation and it will take about 14 days before the discomfort will stop.

How can I speed up gum healing?

Ways To Speed Up Healing After Gum Grafting Surgery

Do gum grafts look natural?

Soft Tissue Gum Grafts Restore Original Root Coverage

After treatment and healing, many people can barely tell where the graft is because it looks so natural — a perfect match with existing gum tissue.

When does a gum graft fail?

Rarely, a patient may develop an infection or the graft will fail to integrate with the existing gum tissue. If you notice any bleeding or other fluid oozing from your surgery site, let your doctor know right away so they can begin treatment for a possible infection. If your graft fails, you may require re-treatment.

What can you not do after gum graft surgery?

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.

How do you brush your teeth after a gum graft?

CARE OF MOUTH: DO NOT brush or floss in the graft site for TEN days after surgery. Then you may begin gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush for another two to four days and finally return to normal brushing.

Does tissue grow back after gum graft?

Recovering from gum grafting

As your gums heal, they absorb the tissue graft, growing new tissue around the surgery site and strengthening your gumline. Follow our recovery guidelines once you're home. You may need to eat a diet of soft foods for about a week.

Can I use Listerine after gum graft?

Don't rinse vigorously, but try to keep the salt water in your mouth for 30 seconds. Do this four to five times daily. You can brush and floss normally on the teeth and areas not involved in your gum graft. You can use mouthwash, but dilute it by half with water.

How long should Dressing stay on gum graft?

Dressing: We may apply a periodontal surgical dressing to protect the surgical site and keep you comfortable. The dressing will harden in a few hours. In most cases the dressing is left in the mouth for a period of 7-14 days and may be changed once or more by the doctor during this time.

Can gums grow over food?

After the first few days, avoid the open sockets when eating tougher foods until you find it comfortable to chew. It may take several weeks for the gum tissue to grow over the sockets. Food will probably get stuck in the sockets until they close over completely.

Why does my gum graft smell?

Answer: Bad smell following gingival graft

Gum grafting involves the placement of either the patients own tissue or tissue bank tissue at the recipient site. Sometimes part of the graft material may not survive and this can result in a necrotic or bad smell.

When does pain peak after gum graft?

Although severe pain is unusual, you can take 1 pill every 4 hours as needed in addition to Ibuprofen. It can cause drowsiness, & nausea. It is best if taken at bedtime. Your pain level should peak at days 3-4 and then get better over the next 7-10 days.