Gum recession, which is often caused by periodontal disease, affects a great number of people. If gum recession is not checked and treated early enough, the gum can recede far enough to expose the tooth roots. Some patients may also be prone to receding gums or tooth root exposure due to hereditary factors.
Schedule Your Appointment Online
Before
After
Before
After
"My smile is very important to me. I never really had huge issues with my teeth but I did have some spacing that I was not happy with. Deciding to get invisalign was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The hard part was finding a facility that would tend to my needs and make me feel at home. I researched for quite some time before actually picking a place, but I finally ended up choosing Luxury Dentistry.”
- Darween F.
Besides being aesthetically displeasing, an exposed tooth root can also be sensitive to temperature and pressure, causing patients discomfort and pain. In other cases, though the gum may still cover the tooth root, the gum at affected sites may be insufficient to provide effective coverage. Whether the gum has receded or is simply extremely fragile, the body’s defense against bacteria is compromised. This can lead to a variety of complications, including infections at the base of the tooth, which can be quite painful and costly to treat. While there is currently no way to reverse the damage once it has occurred, gum grafting is an option that many patients choose to repair their exposed roots.
Drs. Davidowitz at Luxury Dentistry offers gum grafting, a procedure in which healthy tissue will be grafted onto the affected areas, providing natural protection against bacterial infection and creating a more aesthetically pleasing smile. It will create a sturdier gum barrier that will be able to withstand the normal wear and tear of daily activities, including good oral hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing. Additionally, patients who are considering tooth implants may choose to have a gum graft as well, in order to help with implant placement and to create a more attractive smile after the implant. It may not be possible to cover all exposed roots completely; the unique factors surrounding each patient’s case will determine the end result. The experienced doctors at Luxury Dentistry will be able to discuss expectations and treatment choices during your consultation.
The tissue used in the graft can come from either the patient or a tissue bank, and the variety of options will be discussed by the periodontist before a treatment course is selected. If the tissue is taken from the patient, it is most commonly removed from the palate. Patients who have abundant gum tissue may choose to use the existing gum tissue around the affected tooth.
Most patients go home following the procedure and can resume normal daily activity the day after the surgery. It may take up to two weeks for the mouth to fully heal, depending upon the work that was done. Patients who have not had tissue removed from their palate experience little to no discomfort; however, patients who do may feel pain such as burning on the roof of their mouths. Fortunately, the mouth area tends to heal quickly and over-the-counter medicine should be sufficient to alleviate the discomfort. Visit our office located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan to learn more about this procedure.
The massage during treatment was a great distraction. Everyone was wonderful and gave detailed answers for my concerns
- Rachel B
Read More Patient Testimonials
