Gum Grafts

[fsgazda]

So my dentist is sending me to a specialist to evaluate me for gum grafts. I have significant rescission and a couple of teeth that are starting to get a tiny bit wobbly.

Has anyone on the board had this done? I am interested in the time before you can play again, and if it caused any changes in your playing.

Thanks.

[Kbiggs]

Watching. My dentist has been threatening me for years.

[Reidclag]

I had to go through a gum graft a few years ago and unfortunately I don't remember exactly how long I was off the horn, though I'm pretty sure it was about a month.

It'll probably depend on where your dentist needs to place the graft and how knowledgeable they are with how we physically play. For me they took skin from the roof of my mouth and moved it to around the top right canine so thankfully it wasn't directly where the mouthpiece sits, but you can't do many normal things for the first week anyway. Nothing can go near the graft for at least a week (food, regular toothbrush, floss, water pick, etc.) and it won't feel very great. Cottage cheese, yogurt, and pudding will be your friend.

I guess if you're more on the adventurous side you could probably try playing before the dentist recommendation, but I was worried about undoing the surgery (that's not particularly fun) and having to spend more money than needed.

Overall I'm happy with the outcome and thankfully it didn't change my playing.

[fsgazda]

Thanks for the reply. I'll definitely go in for the consultation and see what they say.

[Kbiggs]

Had my first check up in 2+ years yesterday. COVID and other stuff kept me away, but good news. Crowns are secure, and my gum recession is stable.

About 5 years ago my wife had this surgery and her gums are now fine. (She’s not a musician, so there’s that…) Instead of harvesting the graft from the roof of the mouth, the periodontist used a new technique with stem cell grafts. Less trauma to the mouth as a whole (no harvest site), and the grafts took very well. Less recovery time, too.