What is Gum Graft Surgery?
A receding gumline can change the look of your smile and increase the risk of tooth damage and decay. As the gumline migrates away from its proper position, the roots of the teeth become exposed and the teeth take on a longer-looking appearance. Gum (gingival) recession results from gum (periodontal) disease, teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), tooth misalignment, and other oral issues. To restore health and appearance to a receding gumline, our dentists may recommend a gum grafting procedure. Gum grafting, or gingival recession treatment, use tissue from other areas of your mouth or another source to replenish lost gum tissue and return the gums to a proper level on the teeth. This helps protect the roots of the teeth and brings an attractive and more youthful look back to your smile. If gum recession has impacted your oral health, make an appointment at Made Ya Smile Dental in Sugar Land, TX and learn if gum grafting is right for your smile.
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What Are the Benefits of Gum Grafting?
At Made Ya Smile, gum grafting delivers a number of perks for Sugar Land, TX patients with degenerative gums or similar dental concerns. Some of the advantages of this dental treatment include:
- Enhances oral health: By grappling with root exposures, gum grafting may lessen the chance of root cavities and other connected oral wellness issues
- Hinders continued recession: Balances the gum tissue, preventing additional recession and degradation of gums
- Preserves unprotected roots: Protects the tender teeth root's from external circumstances, reducing pain and sensitivity
- Boosts aesthetic: Results in a more even and pleasing gum line, enhancing the comprehensive appearance of one's smile
- Diminishes the risk of tooth loss: Fortifies the area by the teeth, decreasing the hazard of tooth loss because of diminished support
Do I Need Gum Graft Surgery?
Gum disease is the source of a receding gumline in many cases. However, the condition may also be the result of genetics, chronic teeth clenching or grinding, misaligned teeth, oral piercings, and over-aggressive home care techniques. Gum recession can change the appearance of your smile, resulting in tooth discoloration near the gumline and teeth that appear to be longer in length. You may also notice sensitivity when brushing and flossing your teeth or consuming hot and cold foods and drinks. If you experience one or more of these signs and symptoms, gum recession may be the cause. A consultation with our Sugar Land, TX team can help you determine the best type of care for your smile. In many cases, a gum grafting procedure is best to return health to your gums and protect your tooth roots from cavities or other damage.
How is Gum Graft Surgery Performed?
Gum grafting works to revitalize and raise or lower the gumline to a better, more protective position on the teeth by adding healthy gum tissue to areas of recession. The gum tissue samples used for gingival recession treatment are taken from your own mouth or other healthy sources to effectively cover the exposed roots and restore an attractive gumline. Gum grafting procedures are performed using a local anesthetic, which can be combined with sedation dentistry services for improved patient comfort during treatment if desired.
There are different types of gum grafting procedures used to bring health back to the gumline. Our team will determine the approach most suitable to meet your unique oral health needs.
• Connective Tissue Graft: These grafts use tissue taken from the roof of your mouth, just beneath the top layer of skin, and are the most commonly performed type of graft.
• Free Gingival Graft: With this approach, healthy tissue is also used from the roof of your mouth but is sourced directly from the top layer.
• Pedicle Gum Graft: This type of graft borrows tissue from a neighboring tooth that has excess gum tissue to spare. In this procedure, a flap is made in the tissue around an adjacent tooth and the gum is stretched over the exposed root to provide the proper coverage.
Using tissue from your own mouth is often the preferred option. But when this is not the best approach, gum tissue samples from other biocompatible donors or synthetic materials may be used.
Once your gum tissue samples are in place, they will be sutured to existing tissue and allowed to heal and integrate with your gums. Grafted gum tissues blend evenly once they heal and effectively raise or lower the gumline for improved health and appearance. Your gum grafting treatment may be completed in a few different visits, depending on how many treatment sites you have and where they are located within the mouth. Specific instructions on how to take care of your gums and teeth as you heal will be provided for you at the end of your first treatment.
How Long is the Recovery After Gum Surgery?
It is best to avoiding eating until the local anesthetic has fully worn off. We also suggest that you relax and keep physical activity to a minimum for the first couple of days following your gum grafting treatment. You may have some discomfort or gum tenderness in your treatment sites. Cold compresses against the jaw and over-the-counter pain medication can help soothe and reduce these symptoms. Eating a diet of soft foods during the recovery phase is also recommended. We may prescribe a medicated mouth rinse to use to minimize bacterial accumulation during this time. As your gums begin to heal, the new tissues will start to join and blend with your existing gumline. We urge you to follow the brushing, flossing, and other home care instructions provided by our team to ensure that your new tissues heal fully and create the targeted results for your smile and oral health. A follow-up visit will be scheduled a few weeks after your treatment so that our team can evaluate your recovery and make sure your new gumline is healing as planned.
Does Insurance Cover Gum Surgery?
Dental insurance may provide some coverage for gum grafting procedures. Our business team will contact your provider to learn if this is a covered benefit under your plan. Made Ya Smile Dental accepts most PPO plans and will file your dental insurance claim on your behalf. If you are not using insurance or have out-of-pocket costs, we can let you know about our convenient payment options and financing through low-interest CareCredit® plans. We want you to get the care you need for a comfortable and healthy smile and will help you find a solution that makes your treatment easier to afford.
Gum Grafting FAQ
Will my gum graft be painful?
Your gum graft procedure should not be painful. A local anesthetic will be utilized to numb the treatment area to keep you comfortable during your appointment. You may experience pressure or feel movement during your gum graft, but you should not experience any pain.
How long does gum grafting take?
In most cases, a gum graft takes 1 — 1.5 hours to complete. Schedule a consultation at our office to find out if you are an ideal candidate for gum grafting.
What foods should I avoid after a gum graft procedure?
There are certain foods we recommend avoiding to protect your gum graft. Some of these foods include:
- Crunchy foods like popcorn, potato chips, or nuts
- Spicy foods like peppers
- Citrus, including fruits, tomatoes, or lemonade
- Sticky substances like candy or bagels
- Tough substances like raw vegetables or steaks
Treatment for Gum Recession
Gum recession can dramatically change your appearance and threaten the health of your teeth. If you have tooth sensitivity or notice that your smile looks different, a gum grafting procedure may be the ideal solution for your oral health needs. This condition exposes tooth roots and increases the risk of tooth damage while altering the quality of your smile. Schedule a visit with our dentists at Made Ya Smile Dental in Sugar Land, TX to learn if a gum grafting procedure can revitalize your gumline for better oral health and a more youthful smile.