Gum Grafting
Improved Smile Appearance & Function
Many of our Charlottesville and Crozet dental patients visit us worried about the appearance of their smiles. They want a brighter smile or to repair cracks or chips in their teeth, but what many of our patients don’t realize is that the gums actually dramatically impact the appearance and function of your smile. At Charlottesville Blue Ridge Dental and Crozet Blue Ridge Dental, we provide a range of soft tissue treatments to improve the appearance and function of the smile. Gum grafting is one of the most common soft tissue treatments we provide. It can enhance the appearance of the smile, relieve dental sensitivity, and even improve the chances for successful dental implant placement. Keep reading to learn a little more about gum grafts and how they can change your oral healthy. If you have questions about gum grafting or you want to schedule a consultation, call our dental office in Charlottesville or Crozet.
What is a Gum Graft?
A gum graft procedure is just what it sounds like. Gum tissue is grafted onto the smile. In most cases, the soft tissue is removed from another part of the mouth. Then, it is surgically placed to reshape the line of the gums.
When are Gum Grafts Recommended?
Like any oral surgery procedure, we don’t recommend gum grafts lightly. Some of the situations where gum grafting is recommended include:
- Repair following gum recession – when patients struggle with gum disease or tooth loss, gum tissue can recede. When this happens, the more sensitive roots of teeth are exposed, leading to dental sensitivity. Gum grafts can replace this lost tissue and protect the smile.
- Prepare for dental implants – prior to placing dental implant posts, we may need to add gum tissue to improve the chances for successful dental implant placement, ensuring there is adequate tissue to provide support for the new tooth roots.
- Enhance cosmetics – finally, we may use gum tissue grafts to improve the cosmetics of the smile, evening out the line of your teeth and creating a flawless smile.
What Happens After Gum Grafting?
The gum grafting procedure is usually completed relatively quickly, depending on the extent of your treatment needs. Following your surgical procedure, we’ll provide a detailed list of aftercare instructions. In most cases, you should start to feel better after just a few days, and the majority of patients are back to normal after just a few weeks. If at any time during your healing period you feel increased pain or notice signs of infection, please let us know right away.