Soft Tissue (Gum) Grafting
Periodontal disease can cause your gums to recede, leaving more of the roots of the teeth exposed. This can affect your smile’s aesthetics, but soft tissue grafting covers exposed root surfaces, prevents further gum recession, and restores your healthy, beautiful smile.
With gingival (gum) grafting, our periodontist Dr. Jeffrey Hsu places new gum tissue where there is currently little or no gum tissue.
Dr. Jeffrey Hsu is an experienced periodontist in Temple City, CA, who routinely performs various gum-grafting procedures. He and our compassionate professional team know that a referral to a gum specialist can be a little daunting, but we are here to help you!
Why Do I Need Soft Tissue Grafting?
There are several reasons why Dr. Hsu would recommend gum grafting:
Improve Your Smile Aesthetics
Exposed roots caused by gum recession cause teeth to look longer and darker than your tooth color. Sometimes gaps between teeth get bigger.
By covering the roots, we restore your smile’s natural harmony and symmetry for a more attractive appearance.
Reduce Tooth Sensitivity and Prevent Decay
The root surface is made of cementum, a weaker structure than tooth enamel and can be more prone to developing a cavity.
Patients with exposed tooth roots caused by gum recession also often have increased tooth sensitivity. Covering exposed tooth roots with soft tissue grafting decreases tooth sensitivity and the risk for cavities.
Prevent Further Gum Recession
Grafting improves tissue quality by increasing gum thickness and width, helping to guard against future recession and eliminate gum irritation.
Simplify Oral Hygiene
Patients will feel more comfortable brushing around previous areas of recession.
Whether you have a gum graft to improve periodontal health or restore smile aesthetics, you will receive the benefits of both. With gum grafting, you will enjoy a healthier, more attractive, and more confident smile—something we all deserve!
What’s Involved with Soft Tissue Grafting?
Gum grafting surgery can take one to two hours. To ensure your comfort, we use a strong local anesthetic to numb the area of your mouth we’re treating. Since the procedure’s performed under local anesthesia, you will be able to drive yourself home from your appointment.
Our periodontist may use lab-processed donor tissue (allograft) or tissue taken from your palate when performing gum grafting procedures. Each has pros and cons, and Dr. Hsu will discuss them with you before your gum grafting appointment.
We only use sterile materials from an accredited tissue bank that removes the cells and tissues that lead to rejection. Additionally, all donated tissue comes from tissue banks that follow strict safety rules.
Dr. Hsu manipulates your gums to make space for the donor tissue and sutures the grafting material delicately in place.
What Should I Expect after Gum Grafting?
Some discomfort (usually at the palate) is common for a week or two following surgery. You can take ibuprofen or Advil for relief, or Dr. Hsu can prescribe pain medication as needed.
The following steps will help ensure a smooth recovery:
- Use the prescription rinse we provide instead of brushing to keep the area clean.
- Follow a liquid diet for the first day or two after gum grafting, then transition to soft foods like yogurt and applesauce.
- Don’t pull on your lips or cheeks to look at the surgical site, as this can loosen the sutures.
Post-Surgery Follow-Ups
We need to keep tabs on your healing and schedule follow-up appointments at two weeks, one month, and six months post-surgery to check your progress. We will then refer you back to your general dentist for routine dental care.
Need More Information about Soft Tissue Grafting?
If you would like to learn more about how gum grafting can benefit you, please call Smile Again Periodontics in Temple City, CA.
We are pleased to serve patients in the San Gabriel Valley, including Temple City, San Gabriel, San Marino, Arcadia, Rosemead, Alhambra, Arcadia, South Pasadena, Monrovia, and surrounding communities.
