Gum Grafting in Gainesville, VA

Gum (periodontal disease) causes the gum tissues to recede from a healthy position on the teeth. When this occurs, the tooth roots are exposed in the mouth and placed at a higher risk for developing tooth decay. Gum (gingival) recession can also alter the shape of the gumline, changing the appearance of your smile. At Atlas Walk Dental & Orthodontics, our team is proud to offer gum grafting treatment to replenish lost gum tissue and restore a beautiful smile. Our experienced periodontist has advanced training and skill in treating gum recession with a range of gum grafting techniques and can help you determine if this periodontal treatment is right for your oral health. Contact our full-service Gainesville, VA dental practice today and reserve your gum grafting consultation.

Gum disease is a common cause of a receding gumline. However, other factors may cause your gums to pull away from your teeth, including a misaligned bite, teeth grinding or clenching, oral piercings in the tongue or lips, and aggressive home care techniques. Patients with gum recession may experience tooth sensitivity when hot or cold foods or beverages come in contact with exposed surfaces of tooth roots. Gum recession can also create an uneven gumline, changing the appearance of the smile. If you have noticed any signs or symptoms of gum recession, gum grafting from our skilled periodontist may help bring health and wellness back to your smile.

Gum grafting procedures add new gum tissue to cover root exposure in areas where gum recession has occurred. Before beginning your grafting procedure, our team will numb the treatment sites and can provide sedation dentistry if you feel anxious about your visit. Our periodontal specialist will select the gum grafting procedure and approach that best meets your specific needs.

The most common type of grafting procedure is a connective tissue graft, which uses gum tissue taken from beneath the top layer of the skin on your hard palate. A pedicle graft utilizes an abundance of tissue from a nearby tooth and stretches this extra gum tissue over the tooth in need to cover the root. With a free gingival graft, tissue samples are taken directly from the top layer of skin on the roof of the mouth. In some cases, gum tissue may be sourced from a tissue bank or another type of biocompatible material may be used.

Our periodontist will suture your gum tissue samples in place to raise (lower arch) or lower (upper arch) the gumline to a proper level. We will then review post-op instructions and inform you of how to care for your teeth and gums while your gum grafts heal and integrate with your existing gumline. Depending on the extent of your gum recession, your gum grafting treatment may be performed in one or several visits.

We recommend that you take it easy and rest for the first few days following your gum grafting treatment. Eating a soft food diet while your gums heal is also ideal. You may experience some minor discomfort, which can often be relieved with cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medication. To protect the integrity of your new gum tissue, it is very important that you follow our periodontist's instructions for brushing and flossing following your procedure. We may recommend a medicated mouth rinse to help control plaque and bacteria accumulation during this time. A follow-up visit at our Gainesville, VA practice will be scheduled so that we can check your grafts and monitor your recovery process.

Gum grafting may be covered in part by your dental insurance, depending on your provider and specific plan. Atlas Walk Dental & Orthodontics accepts most PPOs insurance plans and will file your claims on your behalf. Our team wants you to get the care you need for better periodontal health and will work with you to find a payment solution that fits into your budget if you have out-of-pocket costs. We accept patient-financing through CareCredit® as well as several convenient payment options

Gum grafting surgery is a periodontal procedure that repairs a receded gumline to protect teeth, minimize tooth sensitivity, and create a more attractive smile. Our periodontal specialist has years of experience in helping patients overcome the effects of gum recession with advanced gum grafting procedures. If gum recession is affecting the health and appearance of your smile, contact Atlas Walk Dental & Orthodontics in Gainesville, VA to learn if you can benefit from gum grafting surgery.