West Union Gum Grafts
Protect Your Gums & Your Smile
Receding gums can leave your teeth vulnerable to sensitivity, decay, and other oral health concerns. Dr. Ben McDonald offers gum grafting at Smile Designs of Southern Ohio to restore your gumline, protect your teeth, and help keep your smile healthy.
What Is a Gum Graft?
A gum graft is a periodontal procedure used to treat gum recession by covering exposed tooth roots with healthy gum tissue.
During the procedure, Dr. McDonald places tissue from another area of your mouth or a donor source over the affected area to help restore your gumline, protect your teeth, and improve your oral health.
By covering exposed roots, gum grafts can reduce sensitivity, lower the risk of decay, and help prevent further gum recession. The result is healthier gums and better protection for your smile.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Gum recession can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Gum disease
- Brushing too aggressively
- Aging
- Genetics
- Trauma or injury
As your gums recede, more of your tooth roots become exposed. This can lead to increased sensitivity, make your teeth more vulnerable to decay, and affect the appearance of your smile. Treating gum recession early can help protect your teeth and support your long-term oral health.
Gum Grafting Procedure
Before your gum grafting procedure, Dr. McDonald will perform a thorough evaluation of your gums and determine the best treatment approach for your needs. In some cases, a deep cleaning may be recommended first to remove plaque and tartar and create a healthier foundation for your graft.
Your gum graft will typically be performed using local anesthesia to help keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Depending on your oral health needs and the extent of your gum recession, Dr. McDonald will recommend the type of graft that's right for you.
Types of Gum Grafts
Several types of gum grafts can be used to treat gum recession. Dr. McDonald will recommend the option that's best suited to your smile.
- Connective Tissue Grafts: The most common type of gum graft, this procedure uses tissue from beneath the surface of the roof of your mouth to cover exposed tooth roots.
- Free Gingival Grafts: Tissue is taken directly from the roof of the mouth and placed over the affected area to strengthen thin gum tissue.
- Pedicle Grafts: When enough healthy gum tissue is available nearby, a small flap of gum is repositioned to cover the exposed root instead of using tissue from another area.
Every smile is different, so your treatment plan will be personalized based on your oral health, the severity of your gum recession, and your long-term goals.
Benefits of Gum Grafting
Gum grafting can do more than restore your gumline. By treating gum recession, this procedure helps protect your teeth, reduce discomfort, and support your long-term oral health. Here are some of the benefits you can expect from gum grafting.
Relieve Tooth Sensitivity
Hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks can cause discomfort when tooth roots become exposed. A gum graft covers these exposed areas, helping reduce sensitivity and making everyday eating and drinking more comfortable.
Protect Your Teeth & Gums
Healthy gum tissue helps protect your tooth roots from decay and damage. Gum grafting also helps slow or prevent further gum recession, supporting the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
Restore a Healthy Gumline
Receding gums can make teeth appear longer or uneven. By rebuilding lost gum tissue, gum grafting restores a healthier-looking gumline and improves the overall appearance of your smile.
What To Expect
During your gum grafting procedure, Dr. McDonald will carefully place healthy gum tissue over the areas affected by recession to protect exposed tooth roots and restore your gumline.
Once your procedure is complete, we'll provide detailed aftercare instructions and schedule any necessary follow-up visits to help ensure a smooth recovery.
Recovery
It's normal to experience some mild soreness or swelling as your gums heal. During your recovery, Dr. McDonald may recommend eating soft foods for a short time, avoiding strenuous activity, and following a gentle oral hygiene routine to protect the grafted area.
Most patients notice steady improvement over the following weeks as the graft heals and integrates with the surrounding tissue. We'll monitor your progress during follow-up appointments and make sure your gums are healing properly so you can enjoy lasting results.
Restore Your Healthy Gumline
If you're experiencing gum recession or tooth sensitivity, early treatment can help protect your smile and prevent further damage. Contact Smile Designs of Southern Ohio today to schedule an appointment with Dr. McDonald and learn whether gum grafting is the right solution for your oral health.