If you have suffered from gum recession, your dentist will recommend appropriate periodontal care, which may include gum grafts. This treatment will allow your dentist to restore worn portions of your gum line with tissue taken from a nearby area. After a gum graft, you should experience less sensitivity, a reduced risk for future tooth loss, and even an improved appearance.
At Metropolitan Dental Care in Denver, CO, we offer a full range of periodontal services, including gum grafts. Our doctors use gentle, precise techniques, as well as the latest technology. In this way, they can ensure a safe surgical procedure, a brief recovery, and outstanding final results.
To learn more about gum grafts and to find out if the procedure is right for you, contact Metropolitan Dental Care today.
Who is a candidate for a gum graft?
If you have suffered from severe gum disease, and your soft tissues have started to recede away from your tooth roots, you are likely a candidate for a gingival graft. Frequently, damage to your gums may be visible. In other cases, the only sign of gum recession could be dental sensitivity, due to exposed tooth roots.
Before undergoing a gum graft, you should be committed to good oral hygiene and to keeping your gum disease under control.
Less often, patients with naturally short gums choose a gum graft as a cosmetic treatment.
Where does the grafting tissue come from?
There are several types of gum grafts, and they differ based on the source of the grafting tissue.
- A connective tissue graft uses tissue from the roof of your mouth or from a donor. Your surgeon will first make a flap in the roof of your mouth, and the sample will come from beneath this flap.
- A free gingival graft also uses donor tissue or tissue from the roof of the mouth, but no flap is created. This provides a thicker sample of tissue.
- A pedicle graft uses tissue from another, nearby area of the gums.
What should I expect during my recovery?
Recovery from gingival grafts usually takes a maximum of two weeks, although you will be able to return to work and most of your normal activities the following day. During the length of your recovery, you should eat a soft diet and avoid spicy foods, which could irritate your incisions. Over-the-counter pain medication can help, or your dentist may prescribe something to help alleviate irritation.
Are gingival grafts covered by insurance?
Dental insurance will usually cover at least part of the cost of a gum graft, if it is done for medical reasons. If you choose a gum graft to restore the look of your smile only, it is considered an elective treatment and will most likely not be covered by insurance.
Are gum grafts safe?
Gum grafts have a remarkable success rate. The Canadian Dental Association reports that the procedure fails less than 2% of the time. Moreover, your results can last for years, protecting your tooth roots and preventing further recession.
Learn More about Gum Grafting and Our Other Periodontal Treatments
Find out if gum grafts are right for you. Book an appointment online or call us at 303-534-2626.
