How Painful is CTG, Continuous Tissue Graft?
The connective tissue graft technique was developed to restore the implications caused by receding gums, root exposure and the ensuing development of functional and cosmetic issues. This procedure can restore lost tooth-root support by covering the areas of gum recession or root exposure. The aesthetic appearance of your smile is improved when your teeth are returned to a healthy look.
The CTG Procedure
The gum grafting procedure is painless. This is because your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the affected area. A periodontist, who specializes in gum disease and the gums, usually performs this procedure. You might feel some small movement or pressure during the procedure.
This treatment has two advantages. A connective tissue graft procedure is almost completely pain free because the tissues on the roof of your mouth are intimately readapted to promote rapid healing. Connective tissue contains blood vessels, a feature necessary to enable reattachment with the adjacent gum tissue. This unique property allows a connective tissue graft to stay vital when placed on an exposed root surface. The original gum tissue flap is placed to cover the connective tissue graft and to then provide a blood supply. This reestablishes the lost gum height. Over time the connective tissue graft forms a new attachment, the periodontal supportive fibers, to restore the lost tooth-root support. Connective tissue graft surgery restores the healthy state that existed prior to your gums receding and your teeth losing their bone support.
Gum Graft Recovery Pain
It is completely normal to have some discomfort or pain as you recover. This will begin to ease more as each day passes.
You still may be anxious about what to expect. A recent study provided these findings:
- Mild pain was the most common, being reported 70 percent of the time. Moderate to severe pain was reported 30 percent of the time.
- The average duration of pain from the procedure was 2 days.
- Periodontal plastic surgery, which includes gum grafting, involved more pain than the connective tissue graft procedure.
It is important to remember that the amount of pain experienced depends on many factors. These can include:
- Your individual pain tolerance.
- The type and source of the gum graft used.
- The type of medication recommended for your post-surgical pain.
It is also conceivable that you might have less pain during your recovery period than before your gum grafting procedure. Another study evaluated patients who had had gum grafting treatment. The research found that the pain immediately after surgery was significantly less than the pain prior to their procedure. Post-operative pain continued to decrease steadily over the next week.
The Benefits of CTG
Your normal gums will be restored, functionally and visually, with natural healing time. You will not only benefit from the reestablishment of the lost support for your teeth, but also cosmetically pleasing result. The identical color and form match to your gums ensures that the graft will blend seamlessly with the adjacent gum tissue. It can actually be difficult to discern where the connective tissue grafts ended versus your original gum began.