Gingival (Gum) Grafting
Connective Tissue Graft
You may have heard the saying that people get “long in the tooth” as they get older. Well, it is not the teeth that are getting longer; it is actually the gums which are getting smaller! If gum disease is left untreated, the bone supporting the teeth dissolves away and the gums may pull back, or recede from the teeth. Aggressive toothbrushing, orthodontic treatment (braces), and tooth grinding may also contribute to gum recession.
When gum recession occurs, your teeth may appear longer and experience sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweets. With gum recession, unsightly gums and sensitive teeth are only the beginning. When the gums pull back away from the teeth, the body loses its natural defense mechanism against bacteria of the mouth. Your gums, when healthy, are firm and tightly adapt around teeth to seal the body from unwanted bacteria and their toxic by-products. If the gums recede, these bacteria are given an open door to invade the tissues that support your teeth.
Gum Recession
Fortunately, gum recession can be reversed in most cases with grafting procedures. High quality tissue is gently taken from the roof of the mouth and is transferred to the area of gum recession.
In certain cases, gum recession may be treated with a scientifically engineered tissue called Dermal Matrix that eliminates the need for tissue to be taken from the roof of the mouth. Not all patients are good candidates for this approach, and Dr. Paris and Dr. Shumaker can evaluate your specific situation to see which treatment is right for you.
These procedures typically take about an hour and when healed, your gums will look great and will actually be stronger than they were in the first place. Your gum tissues will once again tightly seal around the teeth to protect your body from harmful oral bacteria and their by-products. Best of all, your smile will look years younger and you will be able to eat and drink comfortably with less or no sensitivity!
Next Step
If you have been told or think that you may have gum recession, you can have confidence in Dr. Paris and Dr. Shumaker's ability to treat the problem. As board-certified specialists in periodontics they have performed thousands of gum grafting procedures and have the experience and knowledge you can count on.
If you would like more information about gum grafting, please contact Dr. Paris and Dr. Shumaker's office at 970-207-4061 to schedule a consultation appointment, or ask your general dentist for a referral.