When you have thin, receding gums, you may want to talk with a periodontist about your treatment options. After all, untreated gum recession can lead to a higher chance of developing gum disease or tooth decay. Plus, gums that have pulled away from your teeth can make your smile look uneven.
One solution that you might be asked to consider is called a free gingival graft. When performed by a highly trained periodontist, a free gingival graft in Bloomfield Hills, MI, can be an excellent way to permanently restore your gums to a healthier place.
What Can You Expect During the Free Gingival Graft Procedure?
All free gingival graft treatments involve the surgical manipulation of soft tissues in your mouth. After you have been numbed, the periodontist will remove a section of soft tissue from one area and carefully suture it to the place where you have gum recession. Typically, the secondary soft tissue “donor site” is from your hard palate, which is the roof of your mouth.
After the donor tissue has been placed, your body will begin the healing process. Within a few weeks, the new tissue will begin to attach with the existing tissue, forming a thicker gum structure. When the free gingival graft site is completely healed, the periodontist may use minimally invasive dental lasers to reshape the gums around the teeth, if necessary.
Is a Free Gingival Graft in New Bloomfield, MI Right for Every Gum Recession Patient?
Free gingival grafts are well suited for patients who have very thin gums and cannot undergo other types of gum grafts like tunneling. However, patients will also need to have enough tissue elsewhere to provide a donor tissue graft.
Some of the advantages to undergoing a free gingival graft include being able to reverse the problems and symptoms of severe gum recession and thinning gums. For example, many free gingival graft patients are thrilled to feel less sensitivity when they eat or drink hot, cold, or sugary items.
Does It Take Long to Heal From a Free Gingival Graft?
Every patient’s body heals at a different rate and rhythm. Generally speaking, though, most patients will be mostly healed within two weeks of their free gingival graft procedure.
It is important to remember that what you do post-surgery can encourage the healing process. Therefore, follow the periodontist’s post-surgical instructions to the letter. This will set the stage for a more predictable outcome.
Should I Ask a Periodontist for a Gingival Graft?
Not sure how to proceed with your dreams of having plumper, healthier gums? Talk to a leading periodontist like Dr. Lauren Anderson at Anderson Periodontal Wellness. Dr. Anderson routinely performs gum recession treatments including free gingival grafts. She will be happy to walk you through all the procedures that may be right for your situation based on your gums and teeth, any diagnostics, and your unique health history and aesthetic goals.
Call our office at (248) 480-4910 to arrange your initial gum recession consultation with Dr. Anderson right away.
Dr. Anderson has received many awards throughout her career and focuses her practice on providing patients with individualized care based on their unique needs. She welcomes the opportunity to talk with you about your gum recession and to share the five technologically advanced treatments she offers, including the free gingival graft procedure.
