Gum Grafting in Kingwood, TX

Seeing your gums recede from the normal position warrants a visit to your dentist. At Made Ya Smile Dental in Kingwood, TX, we commonly treat men and women with receding gums with or without periodontal disease. When the gums start to pull away from the crown at the gumline and leave the roots unprotected. Gum recession is not only aesthetically displeasing, but it will also cause dental damage. Alongside treatment for periodontal disease, we can offer you gum grafting services to add tissue to the areas of advanced gum loss. We have a periodontal team with specialized training in collecting and placing gum tissue with great skill. In a private consultation, we will discuss a treatment plan that is best for your periodontics treatment at Made Ya Smile Dental.

You may notice that the color and texture of your gums change from their natural pink, healthy look. Not all gum recession is from poor dental hygiene that causes periodontal disease. You may have a genetic predisposition for gum recession or other factors, such as:

• Bite misalignment
• Oral piercings
• Over-brushing your teeth
• Teeth clenching
• Teeth grinding
• Using a hard toothbrush

Candidates may feel some discomfort when brushing, flossing, and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. You may notice that your gumline has changed or your teeth look longer or discolored around the gumline. Any of these signs or symptoms may indicate a receding gumline. 

At Made Ya Smile Kingwood, TX, gum grafting offers numerous benefits for patients struggling with gum deterioration and related dental matters.

• Preserves unprotected roots: Protects the tender tooth root's from exterior circumstances, reducing pain and sensitivity
• Elevates aesthetic: Generates a more uniform gum line, bettering the general aesthetic of an individual's smile
• Hinders continued recession: Secures the gum tissue, blocking continued degradation and recession of gums
• Minimizes the possibility of tooth loss: Hardens the section by the teeth, lowering the possibility of tooth loss caused by compromised support
• Elevates oral health: By grappling with vulnerable roots, gum grafting could lessen the risk of root cavities and other associated oral health conditions.

When you are at your scheduled gum graft in our Kingwood facility, we will start the process by numbing the area and applying sedation if necessary. Sedation techniques and the area where the graft will be taken will be determined at your consultation. The way the gum graft works is by taking healthy tissue from one area of your own tissues (like from the hard palate) and transferring it to the needed area and suturing it closed. In the event that you do not have a donor area to transfer, we can source gum graft materials from an outside donor source or a biocompatible synthetic source. Layer by layer, the transferred tissue will cover the overexposed areas of your roots. As the area heals, the tissue will redefine your gumline. Usually, our Made Ya Smile Dental team can perform gum grafting all in one session. However, if you have multiple areas in need of a gum graft, then we may spread out the appointments.

For the first days after your Made Ya Smile Dental gum graft, please rest and limit your physical activity. You should only need over-the-counter pain relievers, or an ice pack held to your face in the area where the grafting took place for post-graft pain. In the weeks after your gum grafting, we will schedule a follow-up visit with our team at Made Ya Smile Dental to check your progress in healing. In the meantime, we encourage you to stay the course on following all of your aftercare instructions. The use of a prescription-strength mouth rinse is advised to fight off bacteria and plaque — both will hinder your recovery.

Whether you have insurance coverage or not, we will take the opportunity to go over your fees to determine your out-of-pocket expense. We can also explain how you can benefit from our convenient payment options and provide information on flexible payment plans with our financing partner, CareCredit®. At Made Ya Smile Dental, we take most PPO dental insurance plans. Our billing coordinator can contact your insurance provider and learn if your plan offers coverage for gum grafting treatment.

Does gum grafting hurt?
During your appointment at our Kingwood, TX office, we will use a local anesthetic to numb your treatment area(s) so you can remain comfortable. While you may feel some slight pressure, it shouldn't be too discomforting.

How long does gum grafting take?
Gum grafting typically takes between 1 – 1.5 hours. Our team is here to answer any and all of your questions about gum grafting.

What foods should I avoid after a gum graft procedure?
After your gum graft, we recommend that you avoid the following:

• Crunchy foods (popcorn, potato chips, or nuts)

• Spicy foods

• Citrus (including fruits, tomatoes, or lemonade)

• Sticky substances (taffy, gum, bagels)

• Tough substances (carrots, steak)

If you think that you may have some gum recession or have been diagnosed with periodontal disease and need a gum graft, please schedule an appointment to talk to our team. A healthier gumline can be in your future with the appropriate treatments to fill out your gumline into a pleasing position and stop the sensations you feel because of the exposure of your tooth roots. Call our patient care coordinator to get on our schedule at our Made Ya Smile Dental office in Kingwood.