GUM GRAFTING

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.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Some of the possible causes for gingival recession include:

• Abnormal tooth position, such as tooth crowding, giving inadequate coverage of one or more teeth by the jaw bone
• Hereditary thin, fragile or insufficient gingival tissue
• Overaggressive brushing, which causes the enamel at the gum line to be worn away by scrubbing the sides of the teeth in a washboard fashion
• Periodontal disease
• Inadequate brushing or flossing, which allows bacteria to build up between the teeth, resulting in enzymes eating the bone away from the teeth
• Improper flossing
• Eating disorders, from self-induced vomiting
• Dipping tobacco, which affects the mucus membrane lining in the mouth and will cause receding gums over time
• Grinding of the teeth
• Orthodontic movement of teeth
• Piercings in the lip or tongue that wear away the gums by rubbing against them
• Sensitivity to detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which are found in most commercial toothpastes
• Scurvy

What Are The Symptoms Of Gingival Recession?

The following signs and symptoms may indicate that you have gum recession and may need to undergo gum grafting surgery:

• Sensitive teeth (teeth become sensitive to hot and cold or to sweet, sour, or spicy foods)
• Teeth may appear longer than normal (a larger part of the crown is visible if gums are receding)
• The roots of the tooth are exposed and visible
• The tooth feels notched at the gum line
• Change in the tooth’s color
• Spaces between teeth seem to grow (the space is the same, but it seems larger because the gums do not fill it any more)
• Cavities below the gum line
• If the gum recession is caused by gingivitis, the following symptoms may also be present: puffy, red, or swollen (inflamed) gums, gum bleeding while brushing or flossing, and chronic bad breath (halitosis)

What Is The Treatment For Gum Recession?

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.

Call Us!

If you have any of the symptoms of gingival recession, we strongly recommended that you schedule a consultation at Park Smiles NYC at your earliest convenience.

Park Smiles NYC: the best of the best in New York City for dental surgery – and so much more!

Dr. Ruben Cohen, Park Smiles NYC

Announced in 2017 in New York Times Magazine as one of the top 20 oral surgeons and “Super Specialists” in New York City – selected by local medical experts!