Gum Graft Surgery
Richardson, TX
 What is the first thing that you think about when you think of a beautiful smile? Most people tend to focus on the appearance of the teeth. However, even with perfectly straight, white, blemish-free teeth, you may still not be happy with how your smile looks. This is because your smile also plays a critical role. Gum recession not only impacts the quality of your smile, but it also affects your oral health. Dr. Xixi Wu can help with gum graft surgery.
Why Do Gums Recede?
One of the most common reasons that gums recede is periodontal disease. One might ask what is periodontal disease? When your swollen gums begin pulling away from your teeth, pockets form.
The pockets begin collecting bacteria that continue to attack your gums from the inside. Pockets continue to grow deeper as they continue pulling away from your teeth.
The infected tissue begins to die, causing your gum line to recede. Other causes of gum recession include:
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Brushing too hard.
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Bruxism.
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Misaligned teeth.
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Cigarettes and other tobacco products.
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Genetics.
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Age. |
Types of Gum Grafts
A gum graft is a surgical procedure that involves taking tissue from another area of your mouth, typically the roof of your mouth to place over the affected areas. Tissue can also be taken from a compatible donor. There are a few different types of gum grafts that may be performed.
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Connective tissue graft. A connective tissue graft uses tissue taken from the roof of your mouth. First, a small incision is made in the palate. We then remove the tissue from underneath this flap. Connective tissue grafts are effective for covering exposed roots.
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Free gingival graft. A free gingival graft also uses tissue from the roof of your mouth, except this tissue is taken directly from your palate. This leaves a larger, open wound. A free gingival graft is often used when keratinized tissue is needed.
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Pedicle graft. A pedicle graft uses surrounding gum tissue to cover areas of recession. Small incisions in your gums allow us to rearrange your tissues. Because blood vessels remain intact, healing is often faster. |
Gum Graft Surgery
Gum graft surgery is done under a local anesthetic, ensuring you do not feel any discomfort. We can also provide sedation if you are feeling scared or anxious. We then begin by harvesting the tissue from the appropriate site. The tissue is sutured into place over the affected teeth, and the donor site is sutured closed as well.
After surgery, you will be provided with aftercare instructions, which are designed to help ensure that your recovery period goes smoothly and that you heal properly. These instructions will help you deal with pain and swelling, proper oral care, and what to eat. As you heal, your existing gum tissue and the grafting tissue will fuse together and seal around the necks of your teeth. The result is a healthy, natural gum line. After you have fully healed, it is important to continue to take good care of your mouth to prevent gum recession from occurring again.
What are the Benefits of Gum Graft Surgery?
There are many benefits of gum graft surgery. These benefits include:
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Your oral health is improved.
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Tooth sensitivity is alleviated.
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Your smile is improved, which can also help to boost your confidence. |
With gum graft surgery, we are not only able to restore a natural gum line, but we are also able to restore your oral health and your smile. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, contact Dr. Xixi Wu at (972) 669-9444 today. |
