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Are you struggling with receding gums? Unfortunately, this is a common problem that becomes more common as you age, affecting some 50% of people ages 18-64 and 88% of those over 65 years old. But there are ways of treating it, one of which is gum grafting.
At Ueno Center Dental Specialists, we specialize in oral surgical techniques that allow our patients to look and feel their best as well as to take care of their teeth and gums for many years to come.
One of the options we offer is gum grafting, which we can perform in a number of different ways.
Jeremy K. Ueno, DMD — as well as our other providers — offers several customizable options when it comes to gum grafting, including the Pinhole Surgical Technique. We strive to ensure our patients have the best state-of-the-art care when it comes to their oral health.
Gum grafting 101
Gum grafting is a procedure that involves placing new tissue where gum tissue has eroded in your mouth. This allows you to have the look and feel you want while also better protecting your teeth and existing gums.
Depending on your needs, you may use your own tissue or a donor’s to fill these areas. With some versions of gum grafting, the necessary tissue can be grafted all at once, or in some cases, multiple procedures might be needed.
The benefits of gum grafting
Gum grafting carries a number of benefits, which span the medical and cosmetic areas of oral treatment. If you think gum grafting could be right for you, we start with a discussion with your provider and set you up with a treatment plan that suits your needs.
A more aesthetically pleasing look
Many people are uncomfortable when they notice erosion in their gumline. They may feel they don’t look the way they want to or avoid smiling so others don’t notice. But gum grafting can give you the right ratio of tooth to gum so you feel confident in your smile.
A reduced risk of periodontal disease
Periodontal disease and receding gums often go hand in hand; one usually leads to the other or speeds up the process of the secondary issue. If you already have receding gums, you could be at a higher risk for periodontitis, a more advanced form of the disease.
Fortunately, gum grafting can lower this risk.
A reduced risk of tooth decay
The tooth root becomes exposed when your gums recede, which puts both the tooth and the root at risk of decay. It’s more common for you to experience cavities as well as other problems. But covering this area with additional tissue helps protect it.
Less sensitivity
When your gums pull back from the roots of your teeth, your teeth tend to be more sensitive to hot and cold as well as to strong toothpastes and other substances. But gum grafting can reduce sensitivity by covering the exposed roots again.
A highly customizable procedure
As we noted above, we don’t do gum grafting one way for every patient. You may or may not need IV sedation. We may be able to use your own tissues, but if we can’t, donor tissues are available. All of these options come with their own set of advantages.
Finally, there are several versions of the procedure itself, one of the most innovative being the Pinhole Surgical Technique, which offers the same advantages of regular gum grafting without the need for incisions. This speeds up the recovery process and creates quicker cosmetic benefits.
Your next steps
From making you want to smile more to protecting your teeth and gums, gum grafting can be an excellent choice all around for someone dealing with gum recession.
To set up an appointment, give us a call today at our Campbell, California, office in the heart of Silicon Valley.