The Gum Grafting Procedure for Receding Gums

A dentist may recommend gum grafting if a patient has experienced significant gum recession that affects both their oral health and appearance. What can you expect when you visit the dentist for this procedure? Keep reading to find out.

Who needs a gum grafting treatment?

Often, it is easy to see that a gum graft treatment is necessary. The teeth appear abnormally long, and darker than the normal white crowns when the tooth roots are exposed. Gum recession typically worsens with age and could hardly be dismissed as a merely cosmetic issue; it may also have major consequences on a patient's dental health.

Gum recession can result from poor oral hygiene habits, which could be insufficient brushing, in which tooth plaque accumulates on the gums, and vigorous brushing, which causes tissue erosion. Gum recession may also be caused by foreign things in the mouth that rub against the gums, such as poorly fitting detachable dentures, tongue bolts, or even fingernails.

The gum grafting procedure

Gum grafting is a procedure that entails carefully transferring a tiny quantity of new tissue to an area where there is diminished gum tissue. The procedure is required to stop the progression of gum recession or to cover exposed root surfaces of the teeth. The tissue for grafting purposes may originate from several sources, but the most common is the palate (the roof of the mouth). Then, using suturing material thinner than human hair, the dental professional will gently suture the area where the tissue is deficient.

Gum grafting has different approaches. If gum tissue loss occurs around hidden parts of the teeth, gum tissue may be grafted there to stop further recession without attempting to cover the tooth-root surface. Since the tissue is isolated from its blood supply, this operation is called a free gingival transplant, and it takes roughly 45 minutes to complete. It has a high success rate and is quite predictable. The method gets more difficult and takes longer if the goal is to cover root surfaces, but it is still quite effective.

After the grafting operation, the body's natural healing mechanism kicks in. New blood vessels develop in the graft, ensuring it fuses with the surrounding tissue. A successful graft may help resolve issues like tooth sensitivity and further gum recession and enhance the smile's appearance.

The dentist will usually administer a local anesthetic before the procedure to keep the patient pain-free throughout. Even if tissue has been taken from the palate, patients should experience minimal pain following the procedure since the palate is normally coated with a calming, liquid bandage-like substance. Fortunately, any pain may be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medication, which is usually very temporary.

The bottom line

It is crucial to practice proper oral hygiene after gum grafting; this will help prevent gum disease. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, eating a nutritious diet, and getting regular dental checkups should all be part of your routine. Gum health is essential for maintaining oral health as well as overall health.

Request an appointment here: https://www.roderickgarciadmd.com or call Roderick A. Garcia, DMD PC at (505) 634-5029 for an appointment in our Albuquerque office.

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