Gum Grafting Safeguards Your Smile
In order to remain stabilized and functional, teeth need healthy bone and gum tissue to anchor and nest them in place. Healthy gum tissue acts to absorb the shock of biting and chewing and to keep bacteria from accumulating below the gum surface along the sensitive tooth root. When gums recede and pull away, tooth roots are exposed and can become damaged or diseased as a result, and may eventually become loose or fall out. If you have gum recession, you may notice that your teeth appear longer or you experience tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking. Since gums cannot reattach to the teeth on their own, treating receding gums is important to safeguarding your smile. We routinely perform gum grafting procedures to restore a healthy gum line and protect your teeth.
Causes of Gum Recession
- Gum disease
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Gum tissue trauma
- Aggressive tooth brushing
- Poor oral health
Symptoms of Gum Recession
- Tooth sensitivity
- Teeth appearing longer
- Discomfort when brushing
- Notches along the gum line
- Tooth discoloration
Gum Grafting: A Proven Gum Recession Treatment
Gum surgery may sound intimidating, but this traditional treatment method has produced beneficial results for many years and is a routine procedure at our office. We provide oral sedation if you need assistance relaxing, in addition to local anesthesia. During your procedure, we will take a small portion of gum tissue from your mouth or a safe donor source and place it along the exposed tooth roots. Once positioned in place, we suture the new material to the gums for added stability during recovery. We will provide you with instructions during this phase—like using a special mouth rinse—to help encourage rapid healing of your gums. While your gums will take a few weeks to fully heal, you can resume normal activity the day after your appointment.
The Benefits of Gum Grafting
- Restored gum line
- Improved oral health
- Reduced tooth sensitivity
- Protected tooth roots
- Improved tooth function
Let an Experienced Dentist Restore Your Smile
Treatment with gum grafting is a simple procedure when gum recession is caught in its early stages. We encourage you to visit our office if you are experiencing any symptoms of receding gums. Dr. Steven Garhardt performs gum grafting procedures on a regular basis and can help restore your gums back to a healthy state. If you have any concerns or questions about gum grafting surgery, you can discuss them with Dr. Garhardt at your consultation. We are dedicated to bringing you dental experiences that help you feel comfortable, safe, and confident in all aspects of your treatment process.