Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry

Gum Graft

A gum graft, also referred to as a gingival graft or periodontal plastic surgery, is a surgical periodontal procedure performed to cover an exposed tooth root surface with grafted oral tissue.

A gum graft can be one of a variety of surgical procedures that thicken your gums to cover an exposed tooth root surface to prevent continued gum recession. There are some potential causes for exposed tooth roots, but the most common reason is gum disease. It may also be the result of simple, overly aggressive tooth brushing at home.

Your compassionate team at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is wholly committed to providing you, your family, and every patient with comprehensive periodontal care that improves your oral health and daily function. We pride ourselves on offering a safe, comfortable, and relaxing environment to ensure all patients receive the personalized care and treatment that is expected and deserved. You will find us to excel in effective communication, both in listening and sharing examination objectives. With our initiative-taking engagement in the dental industry and the constant innovative technological improvements offered, each exam and corresponding treatment is completely personalized. Call Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at 502-570-5700 with any questions or to make an appointment for a gum graft evaluation.

In addition to enhancing the healthy appearance of your smile, having a gum graft procedure performed will also protect your teeth from any negative effects associated with gum recession. Exposed tooth roots are usually the result of gingival recession from gum disease. There are other common causes, such as trauma.

Are You a Candidate for Gum Grafting?

Although a gum graft sounds like an intimidating procedure, with the innovative advances in both techniques and materials we have at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, it can be easy, quick, and painless. There are several benefits associated with having the treatment performed. After your gum graft, you will start to enjoy:

  • Improved Aesthetic Appearance- If you have gum recession, you may feel self-conscious about your smile since your teeth look longer than normal. By having a gum graft performed, your teeth will now appear shorter, more symmetrical, and certainly more proportionate in balance, which improves the aesthetics and overall perception of your smile.
  • Reduced Tooth Sensitivity- Because your gum graft will cover the sensitive, exposed tooth root, you will notice that your teeth are now less sensitive to both hot and cold.
  • Better Gum Health- The primary benefit associated with having a gum graft is that you will prevent the progression of gum disease. A gum graft will play a critical role in avoiding future bone loss or even the possible extraction of a tooth.

The Common Types of Gum Grafting

Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry offers four different gum grafts that can be performed according to your specific needs:

  • Allograft- An allograft is a material that is not harvested from yourself. The graft is from donated human tissue that has been processed medically to bleach out DNA. You will experience less discomfort since the grafting tissue is not being removed from your palate.
  • Free Gingival Grafts- A free gingival graft will use tissue from your palate, or the roof of your mouth. A small portion of tissue is taken from the palate and attached to the afflicted gum area. This procedure is remarkably effective if you have thin gums and need additional tissue to make this area larger.
  • Connective-tissue Grafts- This kind of gum graft procedure is effective if you have exposed roots. Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will open a flap of skin on the roof of your mouth and then remove the connective tissue from beneath the flap and suture it to the gum tissue that surrounds the exposed root. After the tissue is removed, the flap on the palate is sutured closed.
  • Pedicle Grafts- If you have sufficient gum tissue near the affected tooth, a gum graft can be created by using this excessive gum. The flap of gum tissue is partially released, with a portion remaining attached to the gumline. The gum tissue is stretched over to cover the area where the root is exposed. The tissue is then sutured into place.

Gum Grafting Post Procedure

To promote and encourage your healthy recovery, it is vital to follow the post-procedure instructions from the team at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. We will advise you to avoid hard foods for a few weeks after your procedure and to also avoid foods or drinks that are either extremely hot or cold. We may also prescribe pain medication or an antibiotic to help avoid infection, accelerate your recovery process, and minimize any discomfort you might experience. If you follow our instructions, your gum graft will heal within a couple of weeks.

The primary thing you can do following your successful gum graft is to maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. You must brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time. Also, continue flossing every day. We may also recommend antimicrobial mouth rinses.

To complement these simple oral hygiene practices and to continue to enjoy a healthy smile, schedule regular visits at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry every six months. During these routine checkups, we will examine your teeth and gums and perform a professional teeth cleaning. This allows us to monitor your oral health, practicing prevention and stopping issues before they progress.

Your Smile is Our Number One Priority

Our treatment philosophy at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is focused on patient education and the enhancement of your quality of life. We provide gentle, affordable, and painless periodontal care. We prioritize providing each patient with the information they need to make confident, informed decisions regarding their personal oral health treatment. Our experience is foundational in giving you restoratively minded periodontal treatment customized for your unique needs.

Our team specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants. We consider ourselves experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. We have received extensive education and training in these areas. We are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and we are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

You can find Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at:

107 Frazier Ct., 1D, Georgetown, KY

Or call us today at 502-570-5700