Tissue Grafting Torrance
Restore a Healthy Gumline
Gum recession is a common oral health concern. Most people experience it to a mild degree as the years pass, but in some cases, it can become quite severe. It can cause your teeth to appear unusually long, and you may experience increased dental sensitivity. What can you do about gum recession? The lost tissue will not regrow on its own. Fortunately, though, our Torrance dental team may be able to help via a surgical procedure known as tissue grafting. Contact us today to learn more about it or to request an appointment.
What Is Tissue Grafting?
“Tissue grafting” is a general term that can apply to quite a few different procedures. In our practice, we offer gum grafting.
During the procedure, we add soft tissue to the areas along your gumline where you have lost a significant amount of tissue. This helps to cover your exposed tooth roots and create a more even, aesthetically pleasing gumline. The results are very natural-looking and can provide you with a healthier, more confident smile.
How Does Tissue Grafting Work?
Here is an overview of how the gum grafting process works:
- Making you comfortable: We do not want you to feel pain during your procedure, so we will administer local anesthesia. We may also provide sedation.
- Preparing the site of the graft: We will make a small incision in your gums to create a flap. Then, we will clean the exposed tooth root.
- Harvesting the graft: The tissue used in this procedure is usually harvested from a patient’s own body. This minimizes the risk of rejection and other complications. We will likely take a small piece of soft tissue from your palate (the roof of your mouth).
- Placing the graft: We will carefully place the harvested tissue where you have lost some of your gums and secure it in place with sutures.
The Benefits of Tissue Grafting
Gum grafting offers some pretty outstanding benefits:
- Gum grafting protects exposed tooth roots, thereby reducing sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
- It helps prevent further gum recession and supports long-term oral health.
- Gum grafting improves the appearance of your smile by creating a more even gumline.
- The procedure can decrease the risk of root decay and other dental complications.
- Gum grafting provides natural-looking results that blend with your existing tissue.
- It enhances your confidence by restoring a healthy, attractive smile.
- Gum grafting uses your own tissue, which minimizes the risk of graft rejection.
- You may find it easier to maintain excellent oral hygiene after you heal.
Aftercare for Tissue Grafting
Initial healing from a gum graft usually takes 7 – 10 days, though full recovery may stretch over several weeks. Here are some steps you can take to support your body’s healing process:
- Eat a soft, mild diet.
- Be very gentle during oral hygiene (do not touch the surgical site until our team gives you clearance).
- Get enough rest.
- Avoid smoking and other habits that could interfere with healing.
- Take any medications as recommended by our team.
- Contact us right away if you have questions or concerns.
Gum Graft Surgery FAQs
Does gum grafting hurt?
For many patients, their first question about gum graft surgery in Torrance is whether the procedure will hurt. The good news is that in most cases, your gum graft will be performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel a thing. Once it wears off, you can expect some mild discomfort, however this can be easily treated with an OTC or prescription pain reliever. Your dentist will also provide you with a complete list of aftercare instructions to help you mitigate any discomfort and heal as quickly as possible.
How long will my gum graft last?
Depending on your individual oral hygiene, your gum graft surgery in Torrance could potentially last a lifetime. However, to ensure that it remains in good condition for as long as possible, it is important to adhere as closely as possible to the aftercare instructions provided by your dentist. Furthermore, maintaining excellent oral hygiene and quitting bad oral habits like smoking and using tobacco products can also make a significant impact on the longevity of your results.
Am I a good candidate for gum grafting?
The best person to determine whether you are a good candidate for gum graft surgery in Torrance is your dentist. However, theoretically this procedure could improve your smile if you have otherwise healthy teeth and gums, but your gum tissue has receded to the point where your tooth’s roots are exposed.
If you have any pre-existing conditions such as gum disease or uncontrolled diabetes, these will need to be addressed first to ensure the success of your gum graft. Your dentist can discuss your exact treatment plan during your gum grafting consultation.
What is the purpose of a gum graft?
Gum graft surgery in Torrance is designed to restore areas of periodontal tissue that have receded to the point that your tooth roots are exposed. By replacing lost tissue, your gums can be more effective when protecting your teeth from plaque and bacteria. Gum grafts also restore the appearance of your smile, allowing further repairs to the soft and hard tissues in your mouth to be more successful.