When recession of the gums occurs (“gingival recession”), the body loses a natural defense against both bacterial penetration and oral trauma. Gum reconstruction performed by Dr. Cohen at Park Smiles NYC using gum grafting or gingival grafting techniques becomes an option when a patient suffers from gingival recession. The combination of modern medicine and technology makes most gum grafts quick, painless, and minimally invasive.
Some of the possible causes for gingival recession include:
The following signs and symptoms may indicate that you have gum recession and may need to undergo gum grafting surgery:
When a patient only has minor gum recession, some healthy gingiva often remains and protects the tooth. The suggested treatment for your particular gum recession case may only involve modifying some home care. However, in cases where gum recession is more severe, the first line of defense against bacterial penetration is lost, and gum grafting often becomes the only plausible solution.
During a gum graft, a thin piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth, or gently moved over from adjacent areas, to provide a stable band of attached gingiva around the tooth. Some patients choose to use donor skin (Alloderm) instead of having tissue harvested from their palate. This option has the advantage of being pain free in the palate and having a more comfortable healing time. The graft is placed over the exposed portion of the root to which it will attach.
When the gums recede from the teeth due to gum disease, gum grafts are used to bring in healthy tissue to promote healing and close the space between the gums and teeth. Depending on your needs and the severity of gum recession, three common types of gum grafts can be used: connective tissue, free gingival, and pedicle grafts.
With connective tissue grafts, the periodontist will create a flap in the roof of the mouth to remove healthy tissue. This tissue is then stitched into the damaged area of the gums to support healing. The new tissue will help cover the root of the tooth that is exposed and protect it from bacteria and further gum disease. This procedure is beneficial if you are suffering from severe gum disease that has caused recession of your gums.
Very similar to connective tissue grafts, free gingival grafts use tissue from the roof of the mouth to graft to a problematic area of the gums. However, free gingival grafts are typically used for more precise gum improvement. While connective tissue grafts are used for severe gum disease, gingival grafts are often used to support thinning gums.
Smaller amounts of healthy tissue are removed from the mouth’s roof to make minor changes to the gum tissue. This procedure is commonly used for more cosmetic purposes.
In pedicle grafts, the periodontist will create a flap in a healthy part of the gum to source tissue for the damaged area of the gums. This type of graft does not disrupt blood flow in the mouth as an incision in the roof of the mouth would. However, you need to have sufficient healthy gum tissue for this method to work for you.
While there are many who can benefit from gum graft surgery, some health conditions might exclude you from being a good candidate for this surgery. You should discuss your medical history and any medications you are currently taking that could affect the outcome of your surgery with your periodontist.
Some of the conditions that might exclude you as a candidate include:
While these conditions might increase the risks of complications during gum graft surgery, you should contact your dentist to discuss your treatment options and determine whether the surgery is still a viable option for you.
Most gum graft surgeries are performed by a periodontist who has continued education in the treatment of the gums. They will begin by examining your gums and determining your treatment plan. If you decide on gum graft surgery, you will likely experience some of the following steps:
To help prevent gum disease, you should always practice a good oral care routine that includes brushing twice daily, flossing, and visiting your dentist for routine cleanings. Red, swollen gums, bleeding, and receding gums can all be signs of gum disease. It is vital that you contact your dentist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms to discuss your treatment options.
On average, it takes about one to two weeks to initially heal from gum graft surgery. This can be longer if you have more than one area treated. Immediately after surgery, you might have gauze in the mouth to absorb any bleeding that can be removed after about 30 minutes. Most follow-up appointments are scheduled one week after surgery to assess healing and discuss any questions or concerns you have about your gum graft.
While you should follow all of the post-surgery instructions provided by your periodontist, there are a few general tips that you should incorporate into your recovery to help set yourself up for the best chances of healing. These tips can include the following:
Gum graft surgery is over 90% successful when the proper aftercare is taken. It is vital you follow all of your periodontist’s instructions to allow your graft to heal correctly. If you experience any complications, such as severe pain or bleeding, signs of infection, or the graft pulling away from the gums, you should contact your periodontist immediately.
Creating world-class smiles with a universal approach to empathetic dental care
If you are ready to enhance your smile, the experienced cosmetic dentists at Park Smiles NYC are here to help. Our dedicated team offers a comprehensive range of services, from orthodontics to teeth whitening, to meet all your oral health needs. We understand the importance of a healthy smile for your overall well-being and are committed to ensuring your satisfaction throughout your treatment journey.
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