recently went to my dentist to get a damaged bridge replaced. She suggested that she could improve the fit and appearance of one of the prosthetics if I got some gum reconstruction or a gingival graft. A gingival graft is a procedure where they remove tissue from the roof of your mouth and attach it along the gum line to improve abscesses. I told her that I was not one to take extreme and/or expensive procedures unless they were medically necessary. She told me that it was a simple, out patient procedure, the cost would be around a $1000 and I would have maybe a week of irritation to my palate.
So I trusted her and I went to a periodontist that she referred to have the procedure done. Again, I asked him about the issue of pain and he repeated her line that I might have some sensitivity eating on that side for 7 to 10 days. Well that was September 15th or nearly two weeks ago and I am prepared to conclude that this has been one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I have endured more pain in the last 2 weeks than I have had in my entire life combined. I am taking so much pain medication I am wondering what I am doing to my liver. I called the periodontist and he basically told me to suck it up. I called again and he finally agreed to give me some Oxycodone.
The bottom line is that I feel there was not full disclosure by either the dentist or the periodontist. I would never have agreed to pay $1000 to go through this much pain just to make an incremental cosmetic improvement to a dental prosthetic. I feel that I was the victim of greedy dentists practicing anti-medicine and withholding information in order to pad their wallets. I have talked with quite a few people and some people appear to do fine with the procedure and I have also found people who described it as the worse experience of their entire lives. Nonetheless I believe the dentist had the professional responsibility to disclose the variability of outcomes and the possibility of debilitating pain.
Read more stories about gum grafts at the Experience Project --> here.
I wish you had consulted me first. I could have let you know what to ask. I’ve had it done 3 times now. The first time was exactly as you describe. The next two times it was painless and the results were amazing (and he fixed what the first periodontist fucked up). The key is how they make the incisions – vertically or horizontally. You want the former as it heals MUCH faster and the quality of the tissue is better. It’s a necessary evil, but unfortunately it seems that lots of dentists out there don’t know what they’re doing… Sorry to hear. It does get better. If it doesn’t, I can refer you to a great guy in the Bay Area and give you an excuse to come visit.
Posted by: Ashley Fieglein | September 27, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Did this eventually settle down? I sometimes write articles about people's experiences (good and bad) with going to dentists and dental specialists so I'd be interested to hear how you are getting on now.
Posted by: Philip Boyle | October 22, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Is it fine now? Actually i also suggested to have gum graft by my dentist so i am little bit nervous.
Posted by: Gum Grafts | December 15, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Yes I am fine now but still I would NEVER do that again.
Posted by: Fred | December 16, 2011 at 08:00 AM