Whether you are in need of gum surgery because you are experiencing medical issues or you want to have surgery on your gums purely for cosmetic reasons, learning more about the surgical process is going to help you prepare. When it comes to understanding how long the surgical process will take, it depends on the type of surgery you are going to have. Most surgeries performed on the gums take less than 30 minutes to around an hour to complete, depending on the procedure and the amount of damage to correct.
Medical reasons for gum surgery
The following are some of the main medical reasons why dental patients need to have surgery on their gums:
- Patients diagnosed with a gum disease
- Patients diagnosed with health issues that can affect their gums like diabetes or kidney disease
Gum surgery helps for cosmetic reasons as well
These are some of the cosmetic reasons for why dental patients choose to have surgery on their gums:
- Receding gums
- Too much gum tissue, which can be natural or due to taking certain medications
- Damaged gums as a result of some form of trauma
Types of gum-related oral surgeries that occur
Some of the more common types of gum surgeries performed by dentists include:
- Soft tissue gum grafts
- Gingivectomy
- Deep cleaning
- Gingival flap surgery
Is gum surgery painful?
Dental patients who undergo surgery on their gums usually receive a local anesthetic in order to numb the area that the dentist will be performing surgery on, eliminating any discomfort or pain during the procedure. After the numbness wears off, patients are likely to experience some swelling and tenderness. While this can cause them to feel various levels of pain, they are able to take an over-the-counter medication or ask their dentist for prescription medication to help reduce the pain. The majority of dental patients who have had surgery on their gums are able to begin normal activities within a couple of days.
Find out answers to your gum questions?
If you happen to have any questions about gum surgery, whether it is for medical or cosmetic reasons, give your dentist office a call today. Many times, dental surgery is the only way for dental patients to improve their oral health, especially when periodontal disease is present. Left unchecked, periodontal disease only continues to get worse. This makes the potential for a patient to have a gum graft due to gum loss a very real possibility. When you are ready to make a consultation appointment so an experienced dentist can look at your gums, we can make it at a time that is convenient for you. Give us a call today.