How painful is CTG (connective tissue graft)?
A gum graft is a procedure that is used to restore receding gum tissue. When the gums pull away from the roots of the teeth, the exposed root structure can become very sensitive and painful, causing patients to avoid favorite foods and beverages. There are a number of things that can lead to gum recession including genetics, medical conditions, certain medications, and periodontal disease.
Left untreated, gum recession can lead to root decay, jaw bone deterioration, and eventually tooth loss. Go tissue does not regenerate on its own but fortunately, there are treatments available! A connective tissue graft, CTG, is one of the more commonly utilized tissue grafts.
What is a connective tissue graft?
A CTG uses tissue harvested from the roof patient's mouth. The doctor will cut a small flap in the outer tissue, the epithelial tissue, in order to gain access to the underlying connective tissue. The connective tissue is then moved to the affected area and stitched in place underneath the existing epithelial tissue.
How painful is CTG?
Any type of gum graft is an outpatient procedure that typically takes one to two hours, depending on the size of the area being treated. As with most any procedure, pain is relative to the patient. The area being worked on will be numbed with a local anesthetic before any work is started. Your doctor will apply a topical numbing agent and then administer a local anesthetic via injection to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
How do I manage pain after CTG?
It is common to experience some level of discomfort as the anesthesia begins to wear off after surgery. Your doctor will provide you with a list of postoperative instructions to help ensure a successful recovery while keeping you comfortable. Your instructions will include notes such as dietary restrictions, oral hygiene, and what to look for as your surgery site heals.
It is beneficial to stick to soft foods for a few days since it is easier on the healing gum tissue. Additionally, using a warm salt water rinse after you eat will help keep the area clean and soothe swelling. It is important to continue your normal oral hygiene routine but for a couple of weeks, you'll need to avoid flossing and brushing at your surgery site. Instead, you can use a cotton swab to keep the area clean.
Over-the-counter pain medications should manage your pain just fine but if you feel that your discomfort is more than you can tolerate, speak with your doctor to see if a prescription pain medication is right for you. It is important to follow your instructions to the letter to ensure a successful tissue graft!