Gum Graft Surgery

My son (20) had it done when he was aobut the same age. It was minor. He was slightly uncomfortable for a few days but he bounced back like nothing happened. Dr. Ronald Stukalin did it.

I had this exact surgery when I was in high school. I was so nervous, too. I was awake the entire time, and remember beginning to laugh because I could not feel a thing, and I had been so scared. I can still see the little piece of skin from the roof of my mouth when the doctor held it up before grafting it. The surgery was no big deal at all. And, if they are putting her to sleep, she will be fine. I have no memory whatsoever of the recovery, so I'm sure it was nothing. Please tell your daughter to try to relax, she won't feel a thing. By the way, I am 42 years old - I'm sure the surgery is even better today!

My son had this done when he was 8 and he stayed awake the whole time! They tried to sedate him but he kept asking questions the whole time! They took his graft from the gum at the back of his mouth, not the roof and he could not feel anything! He is 13 now and still is amazed at how painless it was! We went to Dr Scott in Waco. The stitches were a bother, but our regular dentist fixed him up there.

My 9 year old son had it done last June. It was a piece of cake for him. He really could have gone to school after the procedure, if not for the anesthesia. He wore the little plastic protector thing in his mouth for about a week, maybe not even that long. We kept the foods soft for a while.

I gave him the pain medicine the first day because they told me to, but really, he never even complained of pain one time. We made him lay low the first day because he had had anesthesia, and they were careful to say he could stumble around and get hurt, but he was really great. My hardest job that first day was keeping him calm.

Hi M.,
I've actually had this procedure 3 times. The first time was when I was 16. The most difficult part is the donor area in the roof of her mouth, but my dentists have said the success rate is much better using the patient's own tissue than using tissue from another source. The actual gum area is not that painful. She will have some swelling and oozing, and probably some headaches. It is very important that she not chew or bite in the graft area since it can be dislodged for a few weeks. She will probably feel pretty crummy the first day, moderate the next, but be doing well by two days after.

I've had great success with my grafts. My gums were wrecked by extensive orthodontic work; that's why I have had to have this done a few times. Each one has taken well (even 15 years later).

I hope your daughter has good results!

I had this procedure when I was 11. It was no big deal way back then (I am now 44). I am sure that the procedure is way better now. I got to have this pink stuff to cover the area and thought it was big fun because it looked like I had gum in my mouth, at school! I do have to say that my graft came from the little flap thing that goes from your gums to your lip. So it was all in the same place. You might ask if that could be done instead of taking it from the roof of her mouth.

Sure, I was 18 when I had that done.. and that was many years ago. It was done after braces were taken off and many surgeries just to get the teeth down from the roof of the mouth etc. It was a thin layer from the roof - of the mouth and wrapped around the tooth. Had a small castlike cover put over the roof- akin graf area. and it took a while for the tissue to get strong.. but it made a difference. The area in the roof will often be sensitive for a few years.. but otherwise eventually she will never notice it.

I don't know about with a child but I have had 2 of them done.
My dentist compared the pain with that of the roof of your mouth after you've taken a bite of Hot Pizza! He was just about right. I don't remember too much pain with it. They gave me an appliance to wear to protect the roof of my mouth for awhile. I can't remember how long for it has been several years ago. Just let her know that she won't feel it while they do it and that the mouth, thankfully, heels quickly! I hope that all goes well.

Hi M.--I just wanted to encourage you to stay on top of the pain meds for your daughter. She will have a LOT of pain from the graft site. Take the pain meds on time to stay ahead of the pain. Warm salt water rinses will also help speed healing.

I am a retired dental hygienist, now full time SAHM. I've seen lots of these, but none on kids. I'll be praying for your daughter AND you.

C. G

I had this proceedure performed on me (age 35) and it really was quick and easy. And no pain afterwards. If she's going to sleep she really should be fine.

What you need to watch out for, however, is that this is not a permanent solution. 3 years after the graft, the tissue is already gone and my teeth are worse than before. This is 100% due to hard brushing. Do your best to brush lightly (her too) over that area. Also, always have her use the extra-soft bristle brushes.

M.,

I recently did this myself, but I did not have the tissue taken from the roof of my mouth. I used the donar tissue, I did not see any reason to put myself through more discomfort than needed. You should look into that. The surgery took about an hour, 1 had 2 teeth done next to each other. There was not much pain, I took 1 pain pill because I was nervous and then nothing more. The stitches will probably drive her crazy because they stay in for about 2 weeks. Inform your daughter this is much easier than having a tooth extracted! Good luck!

I had this done a few years ago. They do compare it to a pizza burn. BUT check around. The endodontist who did mine is in Carrollton and I can't remember her name right now. But she does it in a little different way. Instead of just harvesting the tissue right from the roof of the mouth, she cuts a small slit in the roof of the mouth and harvests the tissue from under the cut. Then she put some type of dissolving gauze (I think) over the cut. She said there was must less discomfort that way.

We still laugh about my procedure, because she had called in some pills for me to take an hour before I came in for the procedure (even though she was going to use IV sedation). I took the two pills an hour before my husband was to take me. Within about 15 minutes of taking the pills, I was out for the count. He had to physically put me in the car and take me, carry me into the office for the procedure and carry me home. I never remember even going or being there!! I decided that is the way to have medical procedures done. LOL

A friends 13 yr old daughter just had this surgery. If you have a 'specific' question, I would be happy to call her to find out something. I wish I knew more, but I do not. Feel free to email if you are wondering something a little more specific, as I am happy to help. ~K.

My husband had this done in his early teens. He says all he remembers is getting popsiicles and ice cream. His mom said he was groggy from the surgery and only had trouble with pain if he tried to break the rules by eating something he wasn't supposed or doing too much.

My son had the same surgery a couple of years ago. Let me first start out that he does not do well with pain. The most trouble he had was not where the graft took place, but in the back of his mouth where they took the skin from. Today, you can still tell where the graft occurred - the tissue color does not match at all. Just make sure your daughter follows all after-care instructions. Make sure soft/liquid foods are available as well. Let her take the pain meds as needed (stay on top of the pain before it takes over). Hope this helps - good luck!

I also had this procedure done when I was a teenager - twice! Both times the doc gave me a temp retainer plate that sealed the roof of my mouth, reduced swelling and allowed the scar tissue to form the natural dents and ridges of my pallet. I was not sedated for either procedure - in fact, I used a mirror to watch them both. If she's especially nervous, then sedation would be best. Tell her that there are a lot of us out there that have had it done and we're OK :) My mom bought my favorite popcicles and I had to swish with a warm solution regularly the first few days. Good luck!

I just recently had the same surgery done- BUT I am 35 years old. I was awake the whole procedure and it wasnt too bad. THEE hardest part is the first 7 days- primarily not being able to eat because of the "hole" in the top of my mouth. A mouth guard helps immensely- this was provided by my dental surgeon. Cold drinks are difficult (uncomfortable) so room temp liquids are best. Warm salt water swishes 4-5 times a day REALLY helps accelerate healing and helps with discomfort as well as alternating acetaminophen with ibuprofen. But literally at day #7, things are pretty much back to normal. Im sure there is some varity with that. Also trying not to play with the graft once it is in place is super important- which Im sure your surgeon will reiterate. Most of the above advice was not part of what I was told- and learned on my own. It is not nearly as bad as I thought it would be and again- the time down is not too bad. The first 2-3 days are movie days then after that- take it easy, soft noodles and broth for a few days. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

This surgery is called a graft and it is done often a lot of times when braces are worn and the teeth are moved to fast and the gum recedes. If you can see it yourself then it need to be done. I would seek another opinion if your not comfortable with it. I would recommend a specialist if you are nervous and that would be a periodontist. They specialize in the tissue and bone around the teeth, Look in the phone book and they should be listed under that heading. Also I don't know what state you live in but each state has its own regulations on specialities. I would get a 2nd opinion As far as putting her to sleep, that would depend on if she would sit still and not squirm around. Hope this helps. ( I am a Dental Hygienist for over 30 yrs.)

I had this same procedure done when I was 10 years old. We found out I was allergic to laughing gas and the procedure took longer than expected. I was nervous as well, up until they gave me the laughing gas. My mom holding my hand helped me be calm. Once I was "out", the procedure was easy and I didn't remember anything. I wore a plastic cover on the roof of my mouth for a while and the only issue I ever had was when certain foods (usually sticky things) would stick to the cover. Make sure that your daughter gargles with salt water while recovering. That helped heal the "wound" on the roof of my mouth and also kills bacteria. It is understandable for you and your daughter to both be scared but I came thorugh with flying colors and I was her age too. Hope this helps and if you need ot know any other details or have questions, please contact me.

Good luck.

M.,

I had the surgery done when I was a little girl...actually I was in the fourth grade. The greft itself was not bad at all. The part that was uncomfortable was the area in the roof the took it from--they gave me a plastic cover to wear that I could take in and out--which helped a lot! She will do fine--wish you the best of luck!

I had this exact procedure done to my teeth and gums when I was about 15. Although it seemed very serious because I had to go to a special oral surgeon for it, it really was not a big deal. I remember that the recovery time was very short, like a couple of days. The best part about it was being put under...you wake up and it's done. It was MUCH more painful to have my wisdom teeth removed. It really wasn't a biggie at all. Hope that helps a bit. :)

Hi...Many years ago I worked as dental asst and we did that procedure often. The roof of her mouth will be sore and she will have ofer the site of the graft for about a week. I have found that if you take arnica (a remedy) beforehand it will speed the healing time. Of course things may have changed since way back then.

My mother has had this procedure done twice now, and I will most likely have to have it as well.

Though she is not a child, I can tell you that though it is uncomfortable, the pain is not horendous! Mom said (and from what I can see, I agree) that the look of the mouth after the procedure is far worse than the rest. The gums get very purple or almost black and there is swelling. I'd suggest doing it when she can stay home for a good period of time so other kids (in their mean nature) won't stare, make comments, or tease her, making the situation worse.
Ask your dr. TONS of questions. That will make her and you feel soooo much better. What exactly will take place, each step, on the day of the surgery. What can we expect on recovery-pain, time, look, feel, how her mouth will feel, taste, etc. What kinds of foods work best during recovery (Mom ate only soft and some-what bland foods for a couple of days). What about the bacteria of the mouth and the possibility of infection? ect in questions!

Best of luck!
And if you get a chance, keep me posted as, like I said, I am prob. going to have this done within the next couple of years myself!

T.