Gum Grafting
What is Gum Grafting?
When recession of the gingiva occurs, the body loses a natural defense against both bacterial penetration and trauma. When gum recession is a problem, gum reconstruction using grafting techniques is an option.
When there is only minor recession, some healthy gingiva often remains and protects the tooth, so that no treatment other than modifying home care practices is necessary. However, when recession reaches the mucosa, the first line of defense against bacterial penetration is lost.
In addition, gum recession often results in root sensitivity to hot and cold foods as well as an unsightly appearance of the gum and tooth. When significant, gum recession can predispose to worsening recession and expose the root surface, which is softer than enamel, leading to root caries and root gouging.
before and after gum grafting
A gingival graft is designed to solve these problems. A thin piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth or gently moved over from adjacent areas to provide a stable band of attached gingiva around the tooth. The gingival graft may be placed in such a way as to cover the exposed portion of the root.
The gingival graft procedure is highly predictable and results in a stable, healthy band of attached tissue around the tooth.
Northwest Periodontics & Implants
Patient Review
My dad had tooth that was broken in half and it ached for months. We were referred to Dr. Zhu so we gave him a call and he kindly took us in to take a look. He took an x-ray and projected it to this huge tv in the room. He showed us what he saw and found that the tooth could not be saved. He explained the process in detail and answered all of our questions. We were able to quickly schedule a follow up appointment to remove the tooth. The appointment itself was great and my dad was so happy to have gotten the tooth taken care of. One week later the gums healed nicely and Dr. Zhu painlessly removed the stitches. I've seriously never seen such a nice dentist office before. They did a fantastic job building out their space and optimised it for patient comfort. The view out of the room was nice and peaceful which helped ease the stress of going to the dentist. My dad was thoroughly impressed and we would absolutely recommend Dr. Zhu to anyone in need of a periodontist.
- Christine V
Patient Review
Dr. Zhu was informative, knowledgable, kind, and went above and beyond! His huge smile is so welcoming when he walks into the door, and also very reassuring, because, let's be honest...I would run out the door if my Dr. walked in and had terrible teeth. You have to practice what you preach right? So right off the bat, there was a reassuring aura about Dr. Zhu and again, the bright genuine smile. Heading to see anyone regarding your teeth can be nerve-racking, but Dr. Zhu and his staff did everything in their power to ensure I felt at ease and understood the entire process of what would happen and what I needed. Nothing felt pushy or rushed. I felt like they all really cared about my well being and wanted to take the time to understand where I was coming from. People too often brush off the importance of the health of their teeth, and that's one of the biggest mistakes anyone could make. I would highly recommend going to see Dr. Zhu. I save my 5 star reviews generally, but Dr. Zhu and his staff are well deserving of the stars. Thanks guys!
- Kimberly I