Post-Op Instructions for Gingival Grafting

This page of information should be provided in combination with the “Instructions following surgery” and “Diet after surgery instructions. Make sure you read both of those in addition to this.

 

The gum graft placed over the tooth or implant is very delicate and requires close attention to detail after the surgery for proper healing. Please keep the following in mind after your gum graft surgery:

 

Avoid pulling out your lip and continually checking the area. There are sutures to hold the graft in place and these will need to be removed in 10-14 days at your post-operative appointment.  

 

Your oral hygiene is critical to the proper healing of the graft. It is very important that you follow the oral hygiene instructions outlined below.

 

  • For the first two weeks you will not brush or floss in the area where the gum graft was placed. Instead you should rinse with either the prescription mouthwash, Listerine or warm salt water.
  • After your 2-week post-operative appointment you will use a modified Stillman brushing technique (“Roll brushing” technique) for the next 6 weeks with only and ULTRA-SOFT TOOTHBRUSH and NO TOOTHPASTE.
    1. Ultra-soft is SOFTER than SOFT and may be labeled as post-surgery toothbrush.
  • After using the modified Stillman (“Roll-brushing”) technique without toothpaste for another 6 weeks it may be safe to resume a modified Bass brushing technique using toothpaste.

 

Instructions for the modified Stillman brushing technique: First the toothbrush is placed with the bristle ends on the gingiva at a 45 degree angle to the long axis of the teeth with the sides of the bristles resting against the teeth. Next, use small circular or jiggling movements and gently move the toothbrush from the gums to the teeth.

 

Instructions for the modified Bass brushing technique: First the toothbrush is placed with the bristle ends of the toothbrush are inserted into the sulci at a 45 degree angle to the long axis of the tooth. The bristles should bend slightly with light pressure. Next perform short circular vibratory movements slowly from the gums to the teeth.