Gum Grafting

Depending on the state of your smile, you may require a gum grafting prior to your restorative treatment to help support and strengthen your new teeth. If you would like to learn more about gum grafting in Hillsborough, North Carolina, please feel free to contact Providence Smiles today at 919-732-8179 and set up a visit with our dentist, Dr. Kwame Gyampo.

Also known as soft tissue grafting, gum grafting is typically recommended to correct gum recession or improve the appearance of an uneven gumline. Depending on your individual needs and desires, our dentist may take the gum tissue used in your treatment from your own mouth or from a tissue bank. We will carefully evaluate your mouth to determine the condition of your gums and which type of graft is right for your needs. In some cases we may also provide tissue-stimulating proteins following the grafting procedure to encourage your body’s natural healing abilities and help you recover more quickly.

Causes of Gum Recession
Common causes of gum recession include:

• Overaggressive brushing
• Poor oral hygiene
• Gum disease
• Smoking and the use of other tobacco products

When your gums recede it exposes your tooth roots, increasing your risk of tooth loss and other problems. Gum recession typically occurs slowly, making it difficult to self-diagnose. For this reason, we encourage you to make and keep all your regular dental appointments. Regular dental appointments allow our dentist to monitor your oral health and help ensure that gum recession is diagnosed and treated promptly. We recommend that you ask about gum recession if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Easy bleeding of your gums
• Exposed tooth roots
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Inflammation of your gums
• Sensitive teeth
• Teeth that look longer

Procedure
When you receive gum grafting, our dentist will take grafting tissue and stitching, or “grafting,” it onto the areas of the gums that need additional tissue. The grafting process is simple to perform and can be completed in a single visit. A local anesthetic will be provided to numb the treatment area, and depending on your needs our dentist may also provide additional sedation or general anesthesia. You will not have any food restrictions or medications to take prior to your procedure. We do recommend having someone available to drive you to and from your appointment to ensure your safety following treatment.

For more information about gum grafting and to schedule your consultation with our experienced dentist, please contact our office and speak with a member of our team.

FAQ

What Is Gum Grafting?
A gum graft is a surgical procedure used to improve your gumline. We graft new soft tissue onto the target area, taking the needed tissue from other areas in your mouth or from a tissue bank. Gum grafting can improve the appearance of your smile and help prevent tooth loss due to weak gums.

When Is Gum Grafting Needed?
Our dentist may recommend gum grafting if you notice gum recession in your smile. Gum recession may occur due to periodontal disease or overaggressive tooth brushing. Not only do receding gums affect the appearance of your smile, but they may eventually lead to tooth loss if action is not taken.

What Should I Do After My Gum Grafting Procedure?
Our dentist will review your instructions for post op care with you, but we have provided some of the basic care instructions below:

• Eat soft foods and avoid chewing with the side of your mouth that underwent the surgery.
• Take over-the-counter pain medication every four to six hours, following the instructions for the specific medication.
• Use an ice pack on the affected area if discomfort or swelling occurs.
• After your normal home care routine, rinse the affected area with a warm saline solution.