Receding gums can occur for a variety of reasons – gum disease, aging, brushing too vigorously or trauma, to name a few. When gums recede too far, the patient’s teeth roots may be exposed, and that can lead to extreme sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks, as well as an increased risk of tooth decay. And, of course, receding gums can also have a negative impact on the appearance of the patient’s smile. Connective tissue grafts, also known as gum grafts, can often resolve this problem, which is why Dr. Alghadban offers these periodontics service to his patients from throughout the Boerne, TX, area.
The Procedure Involved in Connective Tissue Grafts / Gum Grafts
As the first step in the procedure, Dr. Alghadban may recommend that the patient receive a deep cleaning to remove any existing tartar from the teeth. Typically, the grafting procedure is done while the patient is under local anesthesia, but it depends on how extensive the grafting will be. Generally speaking, there are three categories of grafting procedures available to patients: a free gingival graft, which involves removing tissue from the roof of the mouth and grafting it into another location; a connective tissue graft, which involves removing connective tissue from a small flap in the patient’s mouth and suturing it onto another location; and a pedicle graft, which involves partially cutting away a flap of tissue and moving it to cover an exposed tooth root.
Of course, each patient is different, and Dr. Alghadban will provide additional information and recommend which type of connective tissue graft or gum graft surgery is right.
Benefits of Connective Tissue Graft Procedures
Contact Us
To schedule an appointment with one of our experienced dentists, or learn more about our extensive dental services, contact our Boerne, TX office today. We are here to help you with a wide range of dental treatments so give us a call and speak to our friendly staff.
