Gum Grafting Alternatives

Before you consider an alternative to gum grafting, it is best to understand the details of the procedure and why it might be beneficial for you. First, you need to establish the value of your smile. Your smile is the basic foundation for your personality. It is essential in establishing your self-confidence and your self-esteem. Your smile shares and displays your true self in your personal and professional settings.

The aesthetic perception of your smile begins with the condition of your teeth. Everyone appreciates a nice set of teeth. White, straight, and with no flaws like chips or cracks. What you do not realize is that the presentation of your teeth also needs to be balanced with healthy gums. Gum grafting has visual goals and objectives as well as health concerns.

Some Leading Causes for Gum Grafting

Gum recession is a frequent and common oral issue for everyone through the aging process. There are several causes for receding gums. The primary reasons are periodontal or gum disease, poor oral hygiene, diabetes, smoking, and your genetics. Even with good intentions, something as simple as brushing your teeth too aggressively with a stiff-bristled toothbrush can quickly cause your gums to recede. Gum recession affects over 12% of all adults. Not only does it visually affect your smile, but it can also cause other oral health problems by exposing tooth roots, which can lead to tooth loss.

The Gum Grafting Procedure

The primary source for your grafting tissue is the palate or roof of your mouth. There are only a few places your periodontist can go to retrieve excess tissue to use for your gum graft. This tissue is then surgically attached to the area needing treatment. The gum grafting procedure results in reduced bone loss and reduced tooth sensitivity. It returns your balanced and healthy smile.

Alternatives to Gum Grafting

The healing process can be a little uncomfortable following your gum grafting. You will be advised to follow strict instructions as you manage the dressing on the surgical area. Several alternatives to gum grafting:

  1. Scaling and Root Planing- If there is an accumulation of damaging plaque and tartar on your roots, it can be easily removed with scaling and planing. Once this harmful plaque is removed, the health of your affected gum tissue will immediately improve and naturally take care of some of the recession.
  2. Regeneration- A procedure treating the tooth root before the soft gum tissue. A bone graft may be performed first to stem bone loss prior to treating the gums.
  3. Gum Contouring- A popular alternative when your gum recession is not too severe or too irregular. After applying a local anesthetic, either a handheld scalpel or a dental laser will be used to simply reshape the gumline. The primary benefit of using the laser is that it cauterizes the incision immediately, therefore shortening your healing time. This treatment will improve your smile.
  4. Pinhole Surgical Technique- Tiny holes are created in your gumline laparoscopically. This minimally invasive solution allows the loosening of the gum tissue so it can be moved back to a more desirable position.

Look at your smile and your gums. Scheduling an examination and consultation is beneficial and harmless.

Related Article: How Painful is Gum Grafting?