Gum Grafting
Why Treat Gum Disease?
If you’ve noticed that your gumline looks smaller than usual, then you probably have receding gums. That means your gumline is getting too close to the roots of your teeth, a common indicator of periodontal disease. Without treatment, receding gums can lead to bone and tooth loss.
Some people with receding gums have no physical symptoms while others with receding gums have one or more of the following:
- Swollen, bleeding gums
- Sensitivity and pain
- Tooth decay
- Teeth that look uneven
Dr. Friedberg can repair and restore health to your receding gums with gum grafting. Gum grafting entails taking small pieces of healthy tissue from your existing gums, a tissue bank, or the roof of your mouth, and using it to correct the length and health of the affected area.
Gum grafting can also correct cosmetic concerns caused by receding gums. Some patients use gum grafting to lengthen a low gum line they’ve had from birth or to give additional coverage to large teeth. Schedule with us if you have receding gums in Houston, TX.
Different Gum Grafting Procedures
Connective Tissue Gum-Grafting
This is the most preferred way to cover and protect the exposed roots around one or more teeth caused by receding gums.
– Dr. Friedberg first cuts a little flap on the roof of your mouth.
– Some tissue is removed from under the flap.
– The flap is sewed back in place with sutures.
– The tissue is attached to the affected gum area.
Free Gingival Gum Grafting
Dr. Friedberg prefers this procedure for patients whose gums are thin by nature.
– Tissue is taken from the roof of your mouth’s surface.
– The tissue is attached to the affected gum area.
Pedicle Gum Grafting
This procedure works well for patients who still have some healthy gum tissue around their teeth.
– Dr. Friedberg makes a small flap, called a pedicle, right near the gum area surrounding the affected tooth or teeth.
– The flap is gently pulled over the exposed tooth roots.
– A few stitches keep it in place so the tissue can integrate into the existing gumline.
What To Expect After Your Procedure
If you took a sedative during your gum grafting procedure, arrange to have someone drive you home. You will feel some tenderness after a gum grafting procedure, but most patients are back to work or enjoying their usual activities within a couple of days or less. Dr. Friedberg may suggest a mild anti-inflammatory medication that you can buy from the pharmacy or prescribe pain medicine.
During the week following your gum grafting procedure, follow the instructions Dr. Friedberg gives you.
Avoid flossing or brushing around the treated gums and teeth until they are fully healed.
To control plaque, gargle regularly with the mouthwash you are given.
Eat only soft foods, such as eggs, yogurt, applesauce, pasta, gelatin, etc.
Our Patients Tell The Story Best
"Bad Past Dental Experiences Didn't Stop Me From Getting My All-On-4 Thanks To Dr. Friedberg!"
"I Smile More Than I Ever Did Before Thanks To An All-On-4."
"Gum Recession Affected My Quality Of Life, I No Longer Have Sensitivity In My Teeth."
"I Knew That I Came To The Right Place When I Saw My Dental Implant For The First Time."
"Dental Issues Run In My Family, Getting An All-On-4 Was Like A Ray Of Sunshine In My Life."
"Dr. Friedberg Was The Only Dentist Who Actually Tried To Save My Teeth!"
"Trauma To My Mouth Affected My Teeth, A Full Mouth Reconstruction Restored My Smile."
"I love my dental implants, I'm no longer self conscious of my smile."
"I'm so happy I've met Dr. Friedberg, we've had nothing but success!"
"My pinhole surgery solved my tooth sensitivity and gave me a beautiful smile!"
"Fixing my gummy smile helped build my confidence!"
"My dental implants have given me my life back!"
