Suffering from gum recession? Gum graft surgery may help to alleviate your symptoms.

 

If you’ve been told by your dentist or periodontist that you need a gum graft, don’t fret. Although gum graft surgery sounds like a daunting procedure, it’s actually not as bad as it sounds. Gum grafting is a common treatment for gum recession that can vastly improve the appearance of your smile. Gum graft surgery also alleviates dental problems associated with gum recession.

 

Gum recession generally follows advanced cases of gingivitis, but can occur independently as well. Gingivitis causes inflammation of the gums which can progress causing the bone surrounding the teeth to deteriorate and expose the roots of the teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis.

 

Many people don’t even realize that they have receding gums until the symptoms become severe because it can be such a gradual process. Symptoms of gum recession include elongated teeth and tooth sensitivity, especially when eating hot or cold foods. If you don’t seek treatment, gum recession can lead to tooth loss.

 

 

Gum grafting is an outpatient procedure that takes place at your periodontist’s office. Your Woodinville periodontist will use a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. He may also give you a sedative to help you relax.

 

There are three types of gum tissue grafts: connective-tissue grafts, free gingival grafts, and pedicle grafts. Connective-tissue grafts are the most common method for treating root exposure. During this procedure, a small pouch is created on the roof of your mouth and tissue from the pouch is removed and attached to the tooth with the gum recession with fine sutures. After the tissue has been removed, the pouch is stitched closed and gums on the teeth with gum recession are stitched to cover the transplanted gum tissue.

 

Free gingival grafts also use tissue from the roof of the mouth. But rather than making a pouch and removing tissue from the pouch, your Woodinville periodontist will remove a small amount of tissue from the roof of the mouth and stitch it to the treatment area. Free gingival grafts are the method of choice for patients with thin receding gums when root coverage is not possible or indicated.

 

During the pedicle graft procedure, tissue is moved from gum near the tooth that’s being treated. The flap, or pedicle, is partially cut away so that one edge remains attached. The gum is then pulled over to cover the exposed root and then sewn into place. This procedure is appropriate for people who still have plenty of gum tissue near the affected tooth. If several of your teeth require grafting, or if the palate does not have adequate donor tissue available, your periodontist may recommend using tissue from a tissue bank.

 

 

After gum graft surgery, you’ll be able to go home right away. If your periodontist prescribes a sedative, you will have to arrange for someone to drive you home. On the day of your surgery, limit physical activity and rest quietly with your head elevated. Place an ice pack on your face over the treatment area on and off for a few hours after your surgery to minimize swelling and alleviate discomfort. Do not brush or floss the treatment area for at least two weeks.

 

It will take a week or two for your mouth to heal to where the graft is stable, but you’ll be able to resume your normal activities a couple of  days after surgery. In approximately six weeks, your gum tissue will have a uniform appearance.