Know About Procedure and Recovery of Gum Grafting

What is Gum Grafting?

Gum grafting is a type of dental surgery performed by a gum specialist. A gum graft might be important to shield the teeth from the gum recession effects. Gum recession is responsible for 70% of grown-up tooth loss.

It is the procedure where the tissue nearby the teeth pulls away from a tooth and exposes more of the tooth’s roots. This can cause harm to the root surface of the teeth and the bone. It also makes it more likely to decay and be sensitive, especially when eating or drinking hot or cold foods. Check out the details below before choosing the procedure.

Why Should I Visit a Nearby Professional Dentist?

Numerous individuals don’t see that their gums have receded, because gum recession tends to happen gradually. But gum recession is also often a result of gum disease (which is an infection caused by a bacterial build-up and continuous irritation in the mouth and on the teeth).

A gum graft (also called a gingival graft) can address retreating gums and it can be a source of embarrassment for you. Our periodontal dentist in Kingwood, TX utilizes various strategies for gum recession treatment that is customized to each patient.

If you have receding gums, our professional dentist near me at Houston Oral Healthcare Specialists can help fix them. Thus, a few people choose to have a gum graft for restorative reasons, such as to improve their better smile. While for others, a gum graft is important to fix the harm and prevent further dental issues, a gum tissue graft might be needed.

The Procedure of Gum Grafting

There are various types of gum tissue grafting techniques, each designed to address specific periodontal concerns. A periodontist will discuss the various kinds of medical procedures accessible to you and suggest the best type based on your particular case and oral wellbeing history.

Before starting the treatment, the periodontist will oversee a local anesthetic to numb the area so that the procedure will be done properly.

Free Gingival Graft

Free gingival grafts involve the utilization of tissue from the top of the mouth. Your periodontist eliminates a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth and stitches this tissue into the existing gum area.

This technique is used most often in people who have thin gums. To begin with, you need additional tissue to enlarge the gums.

Connective Tissue Graft

Connective tissue grafting is an effective method to treat root exposure. In this procedure, your periodontist removes tissue from the roof of the mouth by making a flap and taking tissue from underneath the top layer.

Then, the dentist stitches this tissue into the area that needs gum tissue to cover the exposed tooth root. After the connective tissue, the graft has been eliminated from under the palatal flap and the flap is stitched back down.

Pedicle Graft

This type of graft is usually the most successful in the dentistry world. It is grafted with the gum nearby the tooth requiring treatment. The flap is cut away partially from this tissue while keeping one edge linked.

After that, the gum is pulled over/down to mask the exposed root and hold it in place with stitches. This procedure can be performed in those who have a lot of gum tissue surrounding the tooth.

Recovery from Gum Graft

After the treatment of gum grafting, one of the common questions that come to mind is recovery. Well, you will be able to go home shortly.

A skilled gum graft dentist near you will give some after-care instructions for the first and second week. It may be:

• Try to eat soft, cold foods such as pasta, yogurt, cottage cheese, Jell-O, properly cooked vegetables, eggs, and ice cream
• Do physical activity, and medications to make sure you don’t damage the graft.
• It is essential to avoid eating hard or hot foods that can burn or cause irritation to the graft.
• Avoid flossing or brushing teeth at the treatment site.
• Rinse your mouth with a special mouthwash that controls plaque during the healing process
• Taking antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.
• Stay away from smoking.
• Anti-inflammatory or prescription pain medicine to stay comfortable after gum grafting surgery.

Visit a Periodontist Near You

We at Houston Oral Healthcare Specialists serve at 1110 Kingwood Dr Ste 105, Kingwood, TX 77339, United States. Call us or book an appointment today!