Gum grafts restore healthy gum tissue

Healthy gum tissue protects your teeth from periodontal disease and sensitivity, and helps produce a great smile. Routine dental check-ups along with proper brushing are essential for maintaining healthy gums.

Sensitive roots? Receding gum tissue?

Exposed tooth roots are the result of gum recession. Gum recession and exposed roots can lead to the following problems:

• Unattractive smile - teeth appear too long
• Increase in root sensitivity to hot or cold foods and liquids
• Increase in plaque build-up
• Tooth decay
• Risk of future recession
• Loss of supporting bone

What causes gum recession?

Aggressive tooth brushing and gum disease are two leading reasons why gum tissue recedes and roots become exposed.

Gum Graft Treatment

We offer several options for predictable treatment to restore healthy gum tissue, stop further dental problems and gum recession, and provide a better, more natural-looking smile.

Before treatment, Dr. Sorrentino will help identify the factors contributing to the problem. Once these contributing factors are controlled, a soft tissue graft procedure can repair the defect and help to prevent additional recession and bone loss.

During the gum graft procedure, Dr. Sorrentino will take gum tissue from your palate or another donor source to cover the exposed root. This can be done for one tooth or several teeth.

What are the benefits?

A soft tissue gum graft can reduce further recession and bone loss. In some cases, it can cover exposed roots to even your gum line and protect them from decay; this may reduce tooth sensitivity and improve esthetics of your smile. A beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health — your keys to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and confidence.

What to expect

Recovery instructions vary for each patient, and Dr. Sorrentino will provide specific post operative instructions for your particular case.Instructions may include but are not limited to:

• The graft site may be covered with a dressing material
• Antibiotics may be prescribed to limit inflammation
• Medication is prescribed to manage post operative pain
• Mouth rinse is prescribed to help keep the site clean
• Toothbrushing and chewing should be avoided at the graft site

Is a gum graft right for you?

Dr. Sorrentino will examine you and discuss your full medical history to determine the best treatment plan. He will explain the benefits and risks of various gum graft procedures. Every patient is different, and patient results may vary. Call us today at (718) 494-7400 and make an appointment for a consultation.

Using donor tissue for gum grafts

We use AlloDerm®, which is donated human tissue that has been processed to remove donor cells, creating a regenerative tissue matrix. AlloDerm is widely used in both medicine and dentistry for plastic and reconstructive surgery. Originally developed to treat burn patients, it is also used in:

• General surgery
• Orthopedic surgery
• Urogenital surgery
• Dental surgery

AlloDerm allows your doctor to perform the soft tissue procedure you need without the limitations associated with retrieving the tissue form the roof of your mouth. AlloDerm provides you a predictable alternative to using your own tissue and offers the following advantages:

• Readily available
• Requires no second surgical site
• Results are similar to using your own tissue

Since its introduction in 1994, over 1 million AlloDerm grafts have been successfully placed with no known incidence of disease transmission. Donor tissue is extensively screened and tested for the presence of diseases and then undergoes LifeCell’s proprietary processing procedures to ensure that AlloDerm is virally inactivated before release for patient care.