Root Coverage Grafting
Cover Exposed Tooth Roots for a Healthier Smile
Gum recession is a common issue that can occur due to progressing gum disease, undergoing orthodontic treatment, hormonal changes, aggressive tooth brushing, or even genetics. In any case, this issue can cause your teeth to look incredibly long, and it could even expose the roots of your teeth. Not only can this impact your oral health, but it can also make you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your grin. Root coverage grafting is a non-invasive procedure to replace gum tissue, help prevent additional recession, and increase the thickness of your gums so they can continue protecting the vulnerable root surface of your teeth and create a more even smile.
Gum recession can occur for a variety of reasons, including genetics, overly aggressive tooth brushing, and gum disease. Regardless of the cause, gum recession is a significant problem. It may even reach the point where the tooth roots become exposed making it painful to eat, drink, and even sleep. What can you do to address this issue? Contact the The Center of Endodontics Periodontics and Implantology to schedule a personalized gum recession treatment consultation with our team, experienced cosmetic dentists and periodontists with advanced training in periodontics procedures. We may be able to improve your smile’s health and appearance via a root coverage soft tissue grafting. We're proud to provide our cosmetic dental procedures to patients throughout Allen, McKinney, TX, and the surrounding areas.
Complications of Exposed Tooth Roots
As your gums recede, you may notice that your smile is not as attractive as it was in the past. Your teeth may appear to be disproportionately long. Plus, if the gums do not recede at the same rate across all of your front teeth, your gumline may become noticeably uneven. Additionally, tooth roots have a slightly different color than tooth crowns because the roots do not have enamel to cover them.
Of course, aesthetics is not the only problem associated with exposed tooth roots. Without enamel or gum tissue to protect them, the roots are vulnerable to outside stimuli. You may find that you experience pain when you consume hot, cold, or acidic foods and beverages.
How Does Root Coverage Grafting Work?
If you are interested in covering your exposed tooth roots, visit us for a consultation. Dr. Robertson will examine your mouth and design a treatment plan. There are different techniques that can be used for root coverage grafting. For example, she might recommend a pedicle graft, wherein she pulls down existing gum tissue to cover the exposed roots. Pedicle grafts are usually for patients who have thick gum tissue. A more common type of graft is a connective tissue graft, during which she takes a piece of skin from the roof of the mouth and attaches it to the existing gum tissue.
During your recovery period, you should avoid foods that might irritate your surgical sites (such as crunchy and hard foods). You might also find it beneficial to take a few days off of work to relax. If you have any questions or concerns following your procedure, simply get in touch with our office. We are always ready to help!
Benefits of Root Coverage Grafting
Some of the main benefits of root coverage gum grafting in Allen include:
• The results are permanent. With proper care, it is unlikely that your gums will recede significantly after your procedure.
• You will experience reduced dental sensitivity. With gum tissue to protect them, your roots will no longer be a source of pain when you eat hot or cold foods.
• Your smile will be more attractive. An even gumline is an important component of a beautiful, well-proportioned smile!
• The procedure is comfortable. Robertson offers three different types of sedation to help her patients relax during their appointments. She also has a gentle touch and is as conservative as possible in her approach to care.