3 Reasons To Get A Periodontal Cosmetic Procedure

The health and length of your gums can be impacted by a variety of things. How well you brush and floss, the amount of dental decay you are impacted by, or an accident where you have had damage to your mouth. This procedure, while it may sound scary, is completed often and can allow for an individual to have a cosmetically, beautiful smile.  Here are three common reasons why you may want to consider gum graft surgery:

1.     Periodontal disease can impact the length of your gums and cause your teeth to become loose as the disease becomes worse. Once you have healthier gums, gum graft surgery can provide a more even look when you smile.

2.     Reduce tooth sensitivity. Root exposure can cause increased sensitivity when eating hot and cold items or when air touches the root. Gum graft surgery can cover up the roots by utilizing tissue from the roof of your mouth to allow you to enjoy eating without worrying about pain.

3.     Can reduce further bone loss and recession of gums. Once healthy tissue is in place and is healing, it can help to decrease gum loss.

For more information on how gum graft surgery works contact Dr. Rice & her team today.

Recovery From Gum Graft Surgery

Gum graft surgery may be recommended if you have gum recession that is impacting the look of your smile or is causing you tooth sensitivity. There are three most often used procedures, one of which includes your own tissue to be removed in order to add it to the area around the tooth. "Some people do not have their own tissue removed, they have tissue from a tissue bank," Dr. Denine Rice. No matter which choice you make, you are sure to have your smile back shortly after your procedure.

Once the procedure is completed and you are sutured, you’ll be able to leave the office and, depending on the amount of pain and medication used during the procedure, go on with your day. However, if you were given a mild sedative to help you relax, you will need to have a friend drive you home. 

Once you get home, before you eat, drink or brush you will want to review the instructions given to you by your dentist. You may be restricted to only consume certain foods, especially the first few hours after the surgery. You will not be able to brush and floss the area until after the entire area is healed.

Risk of infection can be higher during the healing time because you are not able to brush and floss the particular area. However, there is a special mouthwash that you can rinse with in order to control the level of bacteria during this time.

What To Expect During Gum Graft Surgery:

Have you recently looked in the mirror and noticed grey or black around the crowns of your teeth? Or are your gums lower in the front than they used to be? Are you changing what you eat and drink due to sensitivity? If you are, do not continue to suffer. There are options that can enhance the health of your smile as well as the look. The changes you may not have noticed right away because gum recession usually occurs over time.

Gum graft surgery is recommended when you have been in a situation where your gums have receded around a tooth and you need to rebuild the gum tissue up,  or if you have been in an accident that has damaged the mouth in some way. Gum recession usually happens slowly over time. However, once your gums have receded to the point where the root is showing, you may have increased sensitivity and your smile may not look the way you want.  Gum graft surgery is not a long procedure and there are three different types. “While it takes a while to heal, it is a simple process that really improves the look of your smile,” says Dr. Denine Rice.

Whichever type of procedure is chosen, it will help enhance your smile. If you have gum recession, call one of  the Inland Empire’s Favorite Periodontists, Dr. Denine Rice today to discuss your options.