When most people think about a healthy, beautiful smile, they probably think about teeth. But your gums are a critical part of what keeps your teeth strong and your smile looking its best. Gum recession can weaken these important support structures and make your teeth look longer than they should. Our team provides gentle, effective gum grafting in Phoenix and Ahwatukee to reverse receding gums and restore your oral health.
This post explains what gum grafting is, why you might need a gum graft, and what to expect with gum graft surgery.
What Is Gum Recession?
To understand what gum grafting is, it helps to understand gum recession first. Receding gums happen when the gumline pulls away from the teeth, exposing more of the tooth structure. As recession progresses, it may even expose the root surface of the tooth.
Symptoms of Receding Gums
- Tenderness or discomfort at the edge of the gums
- Teeth becoming sensitive to hot, cold, sugary, or acidic foods and drinks
- Sensitivity or a “zing” when you brush or floss your teeth near the gum line
- Teeth that look longer than they used to
- Teeth that look dark or yellow near the gum line
- Shifting teeth or changes to your bite
- Difficulty tolerating dental cleanings because of sensitivity
What Causes Receding Gums?
There are several factors that can increase the likelihood that your gums will recede. Some are within your control and others aren’t. In most cases, minimizing risks where possible can help to slow down or prevent recession.
Causes of receding gums include:
- Bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching)
- Brushing too aggressively or with too much pressure
- Using a stiff toothbrush or abrasive products
- Tartar buildup near the gums
- Untreated gum disease
- Injuries to the gum tissue (especially repeated trauma)
- Thin biotype (naturally thinner gums or jawbone)
- Misaligned teeth that sit too close to the edge of the gums
- Nicotine use including smoking, vaping, and chewing tobacco
- Recreational drug use
- Lip and tongue pierces
- Habits like nail biting or chewing on non-food items
Depending on the root cause of your recession, our team can set you up with preventive measures to keep recession from getting worse. Interventions like orthodontic treatment, night guards, and changing your home care habits will also ensure that you get the best possible long-term results from your gum graft.
What Is a Gum Graft?
A gum graft is a surgical procedure to treat recession and improve the shape and thickness of the gums. It involves adding tissue back to the places where the gums have receded to cover exposed roots and protect the teeth.
Our team provides several different types of gum grafts in Arizona. Your consultation for gum grafting will allow us to determine the best approach for your unique needs.
Types of Gum Grafts
Free Gingival Gum Graft
A free gingival gum graft uses tissue from the roof of your mouth to rebuild receding gums. It’s usually the best approach for people with gums that are naturally thin and need extra tissue for stability.
Connective Tissue Gum Graft
A connective tissue gum graft involves harvesting only the layer of tissue below the surface of the skin on the roof of your mouth and attaching it to areas where the gums have receded. We frequently use this approach to cover exposed roots.
Pedicle Gum Graft
Rather than using tissue from the roof of the mouth, a pedicle gum graft uses tissue from the gums immediately beside the area of recession. It involves creating a small flap of tissue that’s folded over to cover the exposed root.
This allows us to keep the blood vessels intact, improving healing and treatment success. However, this option is not appropriate for all types of gum recession. It works best for areas with minimal bone loss and a long, narrow area of recession as opposed to a wide, flat shape.
What to Expect with Gum Graft Surgery
Like every treatment at Imagine Dental, our team will carefully examine your teeth and gums and create a plan tailored to your needs and lifestyle. We’ll always do what we can to ensure a smooth, comfortable process from start to finish.
1. Before your gum graft
Following your consultation for a gum graft in Phoenix or Ahwatukee, we’ll help you get set up for success with a thorough review of your treatment plan. We’ll address any questions or concerns you may have, and discuss the cost of gum graft. We’ll also carefully map the grafting area and plan every step of your surgery.
We’ll ensure your total comfort by thoroughly numbing the area before we start the procedure. If you feel anxious about the surgery, we can also provide safe and effective sedation. Depending on the type of sedation needed, you may need to prepare for your visit by arranging for someone to drive you home.
Be sure to set yourself up with the recommended foods and products for your recovery. For example, it may be a good idea to stock up on nutritional shakes, pudding, or Jell-O to get you through the first few days.
2. During your gum graft
Once the area is numb and you’re fully comfortable, we’ll use advanced techniques to gently harvest the donor tissue from the appropriate area and prepare your graft. We’ll attach the graft and secure it in place.
In most cases, we’ll place a dressing over the donor site and the newly attached gum graft to protect them as they heal. We may ask you to rest in our office for about an hour after your gum graft surgery to ensure everything looks good before you leave.
3. Recovering after gum graft surgery
We’ll thoroughly review detailed instructions for how to care for your gum graft as it heals. This includes taking any recommended medications and avoiding anything that could compromise healing or increase the risk of potential complications of gum graft.
You’ll need to stick to a soft, cool diet for the first several days or weeks after your graft. It’s also critical to follow our recommendations for brushing, flossing, and home care products. Brushing or swishing too vigorously can disrupt your graft and prevent it from healing properly.
We’ll get you set up with a follow-up visit about two weeks after your gum graft surgery to monitor your healing, address any issues, and let you know when you can resume your normal diet and activities.
We Can Help You Enjoy Healthier, Stronger Gums
Gum graft surgery is a safe and effective gum recession treatment. However, we understand that many people feel hesitant about undergoing gum surgery. It’s important to remember that gum recession affects more than the look of your smile.
In addition to making your teeth sensitive, gum recession can significantly increase your risk for other oral health problems like cavities on the tooth roots, which can be difficult or impossible to treat. Timely gum grafting can restore your comfort as well as your confidence. Get in touch with our team to schedule your consultation for gum graft surgery in Phoenix or Ahwatukee today!
