A gum graft can restore a nice smile while preserving the teeth. Indeed, teeth can become exposed when unhealthy gums are receding and this is why you can choose a gum graft with AlloDerm from Dentistes REMA.
General Guidelines
- Contact your dentist at his office at the slightest sign of a complication or problem.
- Take your medications as prescribed.
Preoperative Guidelines
- It is best to refrain from taking aspirin 10 days before surgery (or after surgery).
- Do not drink alcohol 24 hours before the procedure.
Postoperative Guidelines
- To maximize the treatment’s success rate, we strongly suggest that you do not smoke for 3 weeks following surgery. Nicotine can compromise the survival of the graft and cause the procedure to fail.
- Do not look and/or touch the graft site. It must remain still for the first two weeks.
- Abstain from eating or drinking for 2 hours following the procedure.
- For the first day, it is very important to apply an ice pack covered by a wet towel for at least 15 minutes every hour. A slight swelling and bruising on the face are likely and normal.
- Swelling can occur, reaching its maximum over a period of 48 to 72 hours following surgery and then disappear over the course of the next few days. Warm compresses can be applied, 15 minutes per hour, to help decrease swelling.
- Skin discoloration may occur, it is normal and no treatment is indicated. Everything will return to normal within 2 weeks.
- Do not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours. Afterward, you can rinse your mouth with medicated mouthwash for the next 2-3 weeks (twice daily or as prescribed).
- Take your antibiotics and all the medication as prescribed.
- Do not drink with a straw or spit for 24 hours following the surgery.
- It is normal for the saliva to be tainted with blood for about a day. If you notice prolonged bleeding, replace the gauze pad by a wet tea bag and apply gentle pressure on the jaws for another 2 hours.
- Restrict your diet to a cold liquid diet for the first 24 hours. During this time, avoid spicy foods. You must chew/eat on the opposite side of the graft for the first 3 weeks. Your diet should be a little softer during the first 3 weeks (for example no chips).
- Do not use OTC toothpaste or mouthwash until your dentist gives you permission. Your next appointment will be 2 weeks after the surgery.
- Do not use dental floss in the area of the graft for the first 4 weeks and/or until permitted to do so.
- Avoid overworking and excessive activities (such as sports) for the next 48 hours following surgery.
- 48 hours after the surgery, gently clean the site of the surgery with chlorhexidine (prescribed mouthwash). You can brush your teeth gently without toothpaste everywhere except for the graft site. Do not use an electric toothbrush for the next 4 weeks.
- Use the prescribed mouthwash to rinse your mouth (if you run out of mouthwash, use a mixture of ½ teaspoon salt in a glass of lukewarm water). Do not use OTC mouthwash. Be careful, the prescribed mouthwash stains, thoroughly brush your tongue.
- The stitches are non-absorbable. Those we see (on the gum) will be removed in a month. The sutures attached to the AlloDerm underneath your gum (not visible) will be removed in 3 months (this is done without surgery, without anesthesia, and without pain).