Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello everyone.

Is it possible to get a gum graft done on the lower front teeth during braces treatment? The gum on my lower front teeth is receding a lot because of my teeth coming forward so much. My orthodontist referred me to a periodontist and my appointment is in two weeks. I'm hoping I can wait to have it done after my braces treatment, which will probably be in 6 months. If I can't wait til afterward do you guys think I will have to get my braces removed then put back on after the graft? I really don't want to delay my braces treatment at all.
Has anyone had a gum graft done? I don't really know what to expect.

I had it done prior to treatment beginning....it wasn't bad really. I would assume they could do it with the braces on, but my ortho wanted it done before any recession could occur.

Good luck!

I can't post website links because I'm too new of a member on the forum, but if you google image search "gum graft", the very first picture that comes up is EXACTLY whats happening to my gums.

Here's a quote from the website that that picture comes from: "Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment may have recession treated before they begin their orthodontic treatment, during their orthodontic treatment or after they have completed their orthodontic treatment." I really hope this is true.

[quote="I love my teeth"]I had it done prior to treatment beginning....it wasn't bad really. I would assume they could do it with the braces on, but my ortho wanted it done before any recession could occur.

Good luck![/quote]
Thanks for replying! How was the recovery and were you able to eat normal?

They take gum from the upper part of your mouth, so there we're stitches there, as well as the grafted area. I'd say full healing in 12-14 days......nothing hard or crunchy for a while. A bing limiting for the first few weeks.

I'm still braced and I just had a gum graft on two of my lower front teeth three weeks ago. My ortho wanted it done before my braces come off to help add some stability to those teeth (I had significant crowding and therefore lots of movement). The sooner you get it done the better otherwise your gums could keep receding.

My dentist referred me to the periodontist first and I did have a gum graft on three lower teeth(the canine and the tooth on either side). They really numb you up so you don't feel it. But you do have to watch what you eat for several weeks but if you already have braces on you are probably used to that. I had braces put on about 6 months after the gum surgery.