What is Gum Graft Surgery?
What is a gum graft and why might one be needed? The initial thought of having a gum graft performed can be enough to cause some stress. However, worry not, if you need a gum graft, it is a simple procedure performed in your dentist’s office. In all honesty, it sounds worse than it actually is. If you need to have a gum graft performed, or are considering one, clearing the air of what it actually is and why it is needed may help alleviate some of your fears.
A gum graft is often used to correct the problem of receding gums in order to protect your teeth from harmful oral bacteria that can destroy teeth. Once your gums heal, not only will your tooth roots be better protected, but the appearance of your smile will improve as well. What Causes Receding Gums? Receding gums, or gums that pull away from the teeth and form pockets where bacteria can hide, can be caused by a number of other oral, and other health concerns. •Periodontal Disease •Genes •Aggressive Tooth Brushing •Insufficient Dental Maintenance •Hormonal Changes •Tobacco Use •Tooth Grinding and Clenching •Crooked Teeth or a Misaligned Bite •Lip or Tongue Piercing While no one savors the idea of gum disease, that doesn’t prevent it from occurring in some people. Periodontal disease, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, are caused by oral bacteria that infects the gums and causes them to become red and inflamed. Over time, gum disease has the potential to destroy the bone that supports your teeth and can even lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is a leading cause of receding gums. Let’s face it, sometimes you’re just born predisposed to it. That’s right. Some people are more susceptible to periodontal disease than others, up to 30% of the population, in fact. That’s a large group of people, who, regardless of how well they maintain their oral health habits, may still face some form of gum disease despite all of their efforts to avoid it. For some, receding gums is due to an unnecessary roughness. That is, brushing their teeth too aggressively or the wrong way. However, insufficient dental care will do the trick as well. Brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice daily really isn’t very long within the span of a day. Although you’d be surprised how …show more content…
It’s called gum grafts. It is a simple procedure performed in the dentist’s office. There are a few different types of graft that can be performed on the gums. If you are experiencing receding gums, talk to a Silver Spring, MD, dentist who provides gum grafts today to help you determine which option would be best for you.
•Connective Tissue Grafts are the most common gum graft and involve the dentist creating a flap of skin on the roof of your mouth where he/she will remove a piece of connective tissue under the flap to create your gum graft, and sew the flap back in place.
•Free Gingival Grafts are similar to connective tissue grafts, except that the dentist removes a small piece of skin directly from the roof of your mouth to create the gum graft.
•Pedicle Grafts involve the dentist using gum tissue from the area near where the gum graft is needed. Instead of removing the tissue, a flap, or pedicle, is cut and sew over the exposed tooth
What is a gum graft and why might one be needed? The initial thought of having a gum graft performed can be enough to cause some stress. However, worry not, if you need a gum graft, it is a simple procedure performed in your dentist’s office. In all honesty, it sounds worse than it actually is. If you need to have a gum graft performed, or are considering one, clearing the air of what it actually is and why it is needed may help alleviate some of your fears.
A gum graft is often used to correct the problem of receding gums in order to protect your teeth from harmful oral bacteria that can destroy teeth. Once your gums heal, not only will your tooth roots be better protected, but the appearance of your smile will improve as well. What Causes Receding Gums? Receding gums, or gums that pull away from the teeth and form pockets where bacteria can hide, can be caused by a number of other oral, and other health concerns. •Periodontal Disease •Genes •Aggressive Tooth Brushing •Insufficient Dental Maintenance •Hormonal Changes •Tobacco Use •Tooth Grinding and Clenching •Crooked Teeth or a Misaligned Bite •Lip or Tongue Piercing While no one savors the idea of gum disease, that doesn’t prevent it from occurring in some people. Periodontal disease, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, are caused by oral bacteria that infects the gums and causes them to become red and inflamed. Over time, gum disease has the potential to destroy the bone that supports your teeth and can even lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is a leading cause of receding gums. Let’s face it, sometimes you’re just born predisposed to it. That’s right. Some people are more susceptible to periodontal disease than others, up to 30% of the population, in fact. That’s a large group of people, who, regardless of how well they maintain their oral health habits, may still face some form of gum disease despite all of their efforts to avoid it. For some, receding gums is due to an unnecessary roughness. That is, brushing their teeth too aggressively or the wrong way. However, insufficient dental care will do the trick as well. Brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice daily really isn’t very long within the span of a day. Although you’d be surprised how …show more content…
It’s called gum grafts. It is a simple procedure performed in the dentist’s office. There are a few different types of graft that can be performed on the gums. If you are experiencing receding gums, talk to a Silver Spring, MD, dentist who provides gum grafts today to help you determine which option would be best for you.
•Connective Tissue Grafts are the most common gum graft and involve the dentist creating a flap of skin on the roof of your mouth where he/she will remove a piece of connective tissue under the flap to create your gum graft, and sew the flap back in place.
•Free Gingival Grafts are similar to connective tissue grafts, except that the dentist removes a small piece of skin directly from the roof of your mouth to create the gum graft.
•Pedicle Grafts involve the dentist using gum tissue from the area near where the gum graft is needed. Instead of removing the tissue, a flap, or pedicle, is cut and sew over the exposed tooth