Gum Grafting and Treating Gum Recession

If you suffer from receding gums, your oral health, dental comfort, and the attractiveness of your smile are all at risk. When a receding gum line is left untreated, periodontal disease and bone loss conspire to weaken the foundation of your smile. Also, the exposed tooth roots are very sensitive to hot and cold foods, are prone to developing cavities, and just don't appear healthy and pleasant.

Gum grafts are designed to restore your gum line by attaching a thin piece of tissue to the area of recession, covering the exposed root and stabilizing the gum. I offer an innovative approach to gum grafting using AlloDerm, a newly-developed material that allows me to avoid harvesting tissue from another part of your mouth, such as the palate (or roof of the mouth). As a result, I am able to save you the bleeding and discomfort that comes along with additional surgery at the donor site.

Find out if your smile would benefit from the latest innovations in gum grafting: schedule an appointment with Dr. Alex A. Farnoosh, a dentist in Los Angeles. Or, call 310.657.0503 to set up a consultation.

Candidates for Gum Grafting in Los Angeles

I use gum tissue grafts to replace gum tissue that has receded from the teeth, exposing a significant amount of tooth root. Patients experience gum recession for a variety of reasons. Most patients have a receding gum line because of periodontal disease. Other causes include brushing too aggressively, misaligned teeth, or excessive teeth clenching and grinding. Candidates for gum grafting are bothered by the appearance of their receded gum line, and may be experiencing pain or sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages because of the exposed tooth roots.

Gum Grafting Benefits

My gum grafting patients enjoy being able to smile with confidence again. Some benefits:

• Gum grafting allows me to plump and augment gum tissue in any area where the gum has receded away from the tooth, providing a more attractive smile.
• With gum grafting, I am able to halt gum recession and bone loss, preventing further dental problems by protecting exposed roots from decay.
• If only one area of your gum line has receded, gum grafting can make the gums appear more symmetrical and appealing.
• After gum grafting, most patients experience reduced tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, giving them more freedom to eat the foods they enjoy most.

The Procedure from a Beverly Hills Dentist

Recent surgical innovations have made this procedure safer and more effective than ever before. For instance, I no longer use tissue taken from the roof of the patient's mouth to perform gum grafting, which can cause discomfort. Instead, for the graft procedure I use AlloDerm, a human tissue derivative manufactured under standards of the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. AlloDerm promotes tissue regeneration by teaming up with your body's own regenerative process. This material is as safe to use as your own tissue – no disease transmission has been reported and less surgery is required. During your procedure I first administer a local anesthetic and then begin gently repositioning the tissue just beside the receding gum line. Then, I place the AlloDerm tissue at the site of the gum recession and secure it using either an adhesive or stitches. The procedure can be performed for one tooth or several teeth. Over the past ten years I have used AlloDerm for my gum grafting patients with astonishing results.

Risks and Recovery

Grafting procedures have little risk – the procedure is usually very successful and healing times are relatively short. Because I do not take tissue from other parts of your mouth, recovery after gum graft with AlloDerm is faster and less painful than traditional methods. You will need to take extra care of the surgical area for several days until the grafted gum tissue has begun to heal. After recovery is complete, you will have a healthier looking smile and gain the freedom to speak and eat more comfortably.