Achieve Healthy Gums and a Beautiful Smile with Gum Grafting Services
Do you have receding gums? You may know this if your teeth appear unusually long. While receded gums cause obvious aesthetic issues, they can also cause several oral health problems, including tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Red Rock Dental is excited to offer gum grafting services to patients in and near Swampscott, Massachusetts. This surgical procedure rebuilds your gum line to restore aesthetics and protect your teeth and gums from further damage.
What causes gum recession?
Gum recession happens when your gum tissues pull back, exposing more of the tooth or root. Several causes of receding gums include:
- Advanced gum disease (periodontitis)
- Aggressive brushing
- Poor genetics
- Tobacco use
- Excessive teeth grinding (bruxism)
When more of your teeth are exposed, this affects the symmetry of your smile and overall aesthetics. Additionally, gum recession increases the risk of tooth decay, sensitivity, and gum disease. If you notice gum recession, seek treatment today to protect your oral health from further damage.
What is gum grafting?
This surgical procedure involves transplanting healthy grafts into areas with recession. A gum graft covers the exposed teeth to reduce sensitivity and improve the appearance of your gums.
We have three types of gum grafting techniques.
- Connective tissue grafts: The dentist gently opens a small flap in the roof of your mouth and takes a thin layer of connective tissue from underneath. This tissue is then carefully placed over the area where your gums have receded. A connective tissue graft restores the natural gum line and protects your teeth.
- Free gingival graft: Instead of going under the surface, your dentist removes a small strip directly from the roof of your mouth and places it right on the thinning gum area. It’s ideal if your gums need more thickness and strength.
- Pedicle grafts: These gum grafts are different from the other two. With a pedicle graft, we skip the donor site and recycle tissue from nearby. Your dentist makes a flap from healthy gum tissue right next to the receded areas, repositions it over the exposed root, and sutures it. No separate donor site means quicker healing and integration.
Each graft type is chosen based on your gum needs, recession severity, and oral health. Trust our periodontist, Dr. Michele Crohin, for precise and expert care to help your gums bounce back beautifully.
What should I expect from the gum grafting procedure?
Our office is committed to maximizing your comfort during gum grafting. First, your doctor will examine your gums to determine the best grafting technique. We perform the procedure under local anesthesia to ensure a comfortable experience.
The procedure is outpatient and only takes 45-60 minutes. After treatment, you’ll experience mild pain, swelling, and bruising. We’ll give you aftercare tips for a smooth recovery. This includes pain medications, good nutrition, and oral hygiene. We’ll also schedule follow-up treatments to monitor healing.
Patients recover within a few days, but complete healing and integration take months. Once you heal, your gums will appear thicker, fuller, and more uniform—no more recession exposing your tooth roots. Most people can’t tell if a graft was done—all you have is a healthier, more confident smile.
Are you interested in gum grafting near Swampscott, MA?
If you notice receding gums, don’t wait to seek treatment. Gum grafting at Red Rock Dental is a highly effective procedure for restoring aesthetics and oral health. Call (781) 590-3606 and schedule your visit with our periodontal team today.
