Achieve Optimal Periodontal Health with Gum Graft Surgery

Have your gums pulled back (receded) from your teeth? Edmondson Family Dental Care offers gum grafting in Windsor Mill, Maryland, to restore optimal periodontal health. Whether you have lost your gingival tissues to gum disease, injury, or aggressive brushing, gum grafting by Dr. Jon Edmondson and his team replace lost gum tissue to improve the overall health of your gums.

Why have my gums receded?

Periodontal disease is the common cause of gum recession. When harmful bacteria are left to thrive, they attack the periodontal ligaments, causing your gums to pull back (recede) from the teeth. Gum recession causes deep periodontal pockets to form, which are difficult to clean or floss at home. 

The other causes of gum recession include:

  • Aggressive brushing
  • Abnormal tooth positioning (misalignment)
  • Smoking or tobacco use
  • Trauma or injury to your gum tissues
  • Chronic tooth grinding and jaw clenching

What can I expect from gum grafting?

Gum grafting adds healthy gum tissues to the areas where the gum tissues have receded. The graft is often obtained from your tissues, particularly the palate. Gum grafting improves the appearance of your gums and protects your roots from exposure.  

Before your procedure, the dentist will administer local anesthetics to minimize discomfort. Then, we’ll harvest the grafting tissue and stitch it to the receded areas. We don’t need to use graft tissues from other body parts for a pedicle graft. Instead, we use the gum tissue adjacent to the receded area. Next, the dentist secures the gum graft with sutures to achieve maximum contact with adjacent tissues. Sometimes, we may cover the treatment site with a dressing to hasten recovery. 

The success of your procedure depends on how well you care for your gums. To ensure successful integration, we’ll give you post-op instructions, including diet and oral hygiene. Over the next few weeks, the gum graft will integrate with the existing tissues to promote regeneration and cover the exposed roots. 

What are the benefits of gum grafting?

Gum grafting curbs gum recession and prevents it from progressing. Here are the benefits of gum grafting. 

  • Reduced sensitivity: Receded gums expose the roots, causing extreme sensitivity, especially when consuming hot and cold drinks. Gum grafting covers the exposed roots to improve comfort. 
  • Enhanced oral health: Gum grafting covers the exposed roots to reduce the risk of bacterial attacks, promoting better long-term oral hygiene.
  • Tooth protection: Gum grafting provides a secure, protective cover around teeth to shield your teeth from harmful bacteria and extreme thermal stimulations.  
  • Improved aesthetics: Gum recession can make teeth appear longer and result in an uneven gum line. Gum grafting restores the natural look of your gums, giving you a more balanced, attractive appearance.
  • Prevents further gum loss: Gum grafting stops the progression of gum recession, protecting the roots of your teeth from becoming further exposed. This prevents further damage to the gums and underlying bone.

Do you need gum grafting services?

Gum grafting is effective in restoring periodontal health and aesthetics of your gums. Edmondson Family Dental Care offers personalized care to help you regain your healthy, beautiful smile. If you have gum recession, don’t wait until it leads to severe dental issues. Call (410) 220-5309 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jon Edmondson.