When do I need gum graft?

A gum graft may be necessary to protect your teeth from the damaging effects of gum recession, or you may choose to have one to improve the appearance of your smile. Gum recession is the process in which the tissue that surrounds the teeth pulls away from a tooth, exposing more of the tooth or the tooth's root.

When is gum graft surgery necessary?

Gum graft surgery is recommended when the gums have receded enough to expose the roots of your teeth. As the gums recede, they form pockets between the tooth and the gums, which become a breeding ground for bacteria buildup.

How do you know you need a gum graft?

In many cases, a surgeon will recommend a gum graft if the gums are overly thin and weak, even if they haven't drooped. The reason is that they still may not provide the support that your teeth need to stay healthy. Thin gums are fragile, and they're more likely to recede.

Who qualifies for a gum graft?

The right candidate for gum grafting

The ideal candidate for this type of procedure is one who has had severe periodontal disease around the gums and the teeth. This is the type of patient who would benefit from the procedure. There are several symptoms of gum disease.

Is a gum graft a good idea?

Gum grafting is a highly safe and effective procedure; it has been tested and proven successful in treating countless cases of receding and thinning gums due to aggressive brushing and gum disease. Still, complications and infections may occur, especially without proper post-op care.

Gum graft - Coronally advanced flap - Receding gums treatment ©

How painful is a gum graft?

The actual gum grafting procedure is painless. This is because a local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area. A periodontist, who is a dental specialist in gum disease and the gums, typically performs this procedure. You may instead feel some movement or pressure as your periodontist performs the procedure.

How much does a gum graft cost?

Cost of Gum Graft Surgery

The base cost of a gum graft can be between $600 and $1200 per tooth. A periodontist is a specialist so is likely to have a higher fee. Donor tissue is more expensive than tissue that is harvested from the roof of your mouth.

Who is not a candidate for gum graft?

The tooth or teeth to be covered by a gum graft have to be healthy, too. An infected tooth or teeth might not benefit from gum graft and can cause further infection if not treated. Teeth that are too loose may not serve as an adequate anchor for a gum graft.

Is a gum graft covered by insurance?

Gum grafting is generally covered by insurance plan; however, every patient's plan will have different levels of coverage and out of pocket expenses.

How long does a gum graft last?

There's no scalpel or sutures, so healing is rapid. Treatment is significantly faster than standard gum grafting. Treatment is permanent and if the cause of recession is corrected, it will last for years.

Is some gum recession normal?

Gum recession is often considered a normal part of aging. Even the expression “long in the tooth” stems from our gum line receding and exposing more of our teeth as we age. However, there is nothing normal about gum recession. Luckily, for most of us it can be prevented.

Do gum grafts look natural?

The gum grafts rarely looked natural, even after they had healed, and the whole process was very uncomfortable and painful for the patient.

Do they put you to sleep for gum graft?

Normally we use local anesthesia for gum grafting, because our dentist must collect the tissue from the roof of your mouth before stitching it into place over the exposed dental root. You don't need to be fully sedated, and can even drive yourself home after the appointment.

How do you fix receding gums without surgery?

How do you stop receding gums from getting worse?

One of the most important things you can do to avoid further gum recession is to brush and floss your teeth twice daily. If your gums have receded due to aggressive brushing, be mindful of the force you are applying while brushing and use a soft-bristled toothbrush.

How much does it cost to fix receding gums?

As a rule of thumb, the best treatment for gum recession may cost you more than you expect, with more advanced conditions requiring most expensive procedures. In general, a typical skin graft can cost between $600 and $1,200 for a single operation.

How do you pay for gum grafting?

As mentioned earlier, gum grafts are typically covered by insurance plans, however it is important to be aware of other payment options if you do not have insurance. Patients with FSA's can contribute $2,600 to their account annually.

How long is recovery from gum graft surgery?

A gum graft takes one to two weeks to heal. During this time, you'll need to follow strict instructions, including what you can and cannot eat. Your compliance with these directions can affect your outcome.

Can a dentist make new gums?

Often, dentists will use a pen and draw a line to mark the new gum line. That way, you can see exactly how much gum will be removed or how the gum line will be reshaped. A local anesthetic may be applied to numb the area.

Can you get a gum transplant?

A pedicle graft places healthy gum tissue over receded tissue. If you don't have good tissue, you can have someone else's tissue transplanted into your mouth. This is a good option for people who have advanced gum disease. Your dentist will then apply the tissue to the area where the gums have receded.

Do gums grow back?

While your gums won't grow back on their own, surgical treatment can be used to replace the missing tissue, and restore both your appearance and your oral health. Gum grafting involves taking soft tissue from another part of the mouth and grafting it onto your gums.

How do you fix receding gums?

How are Receding Gums Treated? The traditional method for treating gingival recession is soft-tissue grafting. Grafting is a surgical procedure in which a periodontist removes healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and uses it to build the gum back up where it has receded.

How do you treat weak gums?

What happens if your gums recede too much?

In periodontitis, the gum and connective tissues pull away, and a pocket forms between the tooth and gum that can collect bacteria. Over time, the bacteria cause further inflammation. If the gums recede too much, it may result in bone loss, which can cause teeth to loosen or fall out.

Are receding gums fixable?

From fluoride treatments to implants, it seems like there's a fix for all our dental woes. However, when it comes to gum health, preventative care is still the best treatment. Receding gums do not regenerate, which means that when your gum tissue is lost, it's gone permanently.