Soft Tissue Grafting

What is Gum Recession?

Many people don't even notice that their gums have receded because it's a gradual process. Gum recession is a periodontal condition that occurs when a patient’s gum tissue wears away over time – exposing not only more of your teeth but the tooth’s root as well. Root surfaces exposed by gum recession can become sensitive to temperature and pressure changes, and can also decay or wear away over time.

If this condition is left untreated, and continues to progress it can often worsen to the point of severe damage or tooth loss. Whether for cosmetic reasons or to prevent damage to your exposed teeth, it is critical for patients suffering from gum recession to seek treatment. Gum grafts may be used to treat various conditions, including periodontal disease, gum recession, poor dental hygiene, jawbone loss, missing teeth, aesthetic issues with the shape of the gums, and gum problems around dental implants.

What is Gum Grafting?

Gum grafting, also known as periodontal plastic surgery or gingival grafts, refers to any periodontal procedure aimed at grafting gingival tissue onto the gums to build up the gums and cover exposed tooth root surface. While there are several approaches to gum grafting, all of them aim to improve the appearance of your smile, alleviate teeth sensitivity, and prevent periodontal recession.

Gum grafting is a simple, effective way to reverse periodontal recession and promote healthy, functional gums and teeth. If you're interested in seeing how it may benefit you, we can help. Contact us today at 815-459-3740 to learn more about gum grafts or to schedule a consultation for treatment at our Crystal Lake dental office. We can't wait to hear from you and help you achieve a smile you’re proud of!

Gum Graft Surgery

The grafting procedure itself will generally be performed under local anesthetic, but this will depend on the size of the areas receiving grafts. A small incision will be made at the site in order to create a small pocket. An incision is made in this pocket, and the donor tissue is placed between the two sections of this area. Tissue-stimulating proteins that promote natural tissue growth and healing may be applied to the site before suturing. Finally, the wound site will be sutured to prevent shifting, and protective surgical material will be placed to protect the sensitive area.

Healing After Gum Grafting Surgery

Your mouth may be tender after laser gum therapy or gum grafting. It usually takes about 2 weeks to fully recover from gum grafting, while it may take 1-2 weeks to recover from laser gum therapy.

Your Crystal Lake dentist at Tru Family Dental - Crystal Lake will provide you with a comprehensive set of instructions to follow as your mouth heals and you recover. Follow them exactly to minimize your discomfort, speed up the healing process, and ensure the best outcome for your procedure at our office.

To learn more about our Crystal Lake gum grafting services, contact Tru Family Dental - Crystal Lake at 815-459-3740 to schedule an appointment!