Gum Grafts
Your gums do much more than frame your smile. Healthy gum tissue:
• Helps protect the roots of your teeth
• Supports your overall oral health
• Plays an important role in keeping your smile strong and comfortable.
When gum tissue begins to recede, however, the roots of your teeth may become exposed and vulnerable.
At Pelican Dental in Redondo Beach, CA, we offer gum grafting and tissue graft procedures, including root coverage, to help restore areas affected by gum recession.
Our Team Approach to Gum Grafts
Our team takes a comprehensive approach to periodontal care, addressing both the health and appearance of your gumline.
Whether you have noticed that one tooth looks longer than the others, you are experiencing sensitivity near the gumline, or your dentist has recommended treatment for receding gums, we can help you understand your options.
Contact Pelican Dental to schedule a consultation and learn whether a gum graft may be right for your smile..
What Is a Gum Graft?
A gum graft is a kind of tissue graft used to restore gum tissue in areas where the gums have receded or become too thin.
Healthy gums normally cover and protect the roots of your teeth. When the gums pull away from the teeth, portions of the tooth roots may become exposed. Because roots do not have the same protective enamel covering as the crowns of your teeth, exposure can increase sensitivity and leave these areas more vulnerable.
Gum grafting adds tissue to areas where additional coverage or support is needed. Depending on your individual needs, the goal may be to cover an exposed root, strengthen thin gum tissue, improve the appearance of the gumline, or provide additional protection for the affected tooth.
At Pelican Dental, root coverage and tissue grafting are among the periodontal services available at our Redondo Beach office.
Understanding Gum Recession
Gum recession occurs when gum tissue gradually moves away from the tooth, exposing more of the tooth or its root.
Sometimes recession is easy to notice. You may look in the mirror and realize that a particular tooth seems longer than it used to. In other situations, the first sign may be increased sensitivity when you drink something cold or brush along the gumline.
Gum recession can affect one tooth, several teeth, or larger areas of the mouth. Because it often develops gradually, you may not immediately realize that your gums have changed.
Signs that may indicate gum recession include:
If you have noticed changes in your gumline, an evaluation can help determine what is happening and whether treatment is recommended.
Why Treat Receding Gums?
It can be tempting to think of gum recession as primarily a cosmetic concern, especially when it affects a tooth that is visible when you smile. However, healthy gum tissue serves an important protective purpose.
When the root of a tooth becomes exposed, it loses some of the natural protection previously provided by the gums. Exposed roots can become sensitive and may be more susceptible to wear and other dental concerns.
Treating recession may provide several benefits:
Protect Exposed Roots
Restoring gum coverage can provide additional protection to vulnerable areas of the tooth.
Reduce Sensitivity
Covering an exposed root may help decrease sensitivity associated with gum recession.
Support Periodontal Health
Adequate gum tissue helps provide a healthy foundation around the teeth.
Improve the Gumline
Grafting may create a more balanced and natural-looking transition between the teeth and gums.
Address Vulnerable Areas
Treating areas of concern can provide additional support where gum tissue has been lost or is particularly thin.
The appropriate treatment depends on the amount of recession, the health of the surrounding tissue, and the condition of the tooth.
Who May Need a Gum Graft in Redondo Beach?
Not every case of gum recession requires grafting. That is why an evaluation is an important first step.
A gum graft may be considered when there is not enough healthy tissue around a tooth or when recession has left the root exposed. Treatment recommendations are based on the health and structure of your individual smile rather than appearance alone.
You may benefit from a gum graft if you have:
- Noticeable gum recession
- One or more exposed tooth roots
- Thin gum tissue around certain teeth
- Tooth sensitivity associated with recession
- An uneven gumline caused by tissue loss
- Areas that need additional soft-tissue support
- Concerns about protecting the long-term health of a tooth
We evaluate the entire area before recommending treatment. Our goal is to determine what is happening with your gum tissue and what can be done to support your long-term oral health.
Advanced Technology for Gum Care at Pelican Dental
Pelican Dental uses advanced dental technology to help us evaluate oral health, plan treatment, and provide precise care. Each of these technologies can play a different role in comprehensive dental care:
What Sets Us Apart:
iTero Intraoral Scanner
Digital scanning technology allows our team to capture detailed images of your teeth and oral structures without relying solely on traditional impressions. These scans can help us evaluate your smile and plan treatment with greater precision.
Cone Beam CT
Cone beam CT technology provides detailed, three-dimensional images of the teeth, bone, and surrounding oral structures. When appropriate, these images can give our doctors additional information for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Fotona LightWalker Laser
Pelican Dental uses the Fotona LightWalker for both soft- and hard-tissue dental treatments. This includes procedures involving the gums, such as gum surgery, as well as hard-tissue applications such as cavity treatment.
For patients considering gum grafting or other periodontal treatment, having advanced technology available in the same office allows our team to take a comprehensive approach to care. The exact technology used will depend on your individual needs and treatment plan.
Our goal is not simply to use the latest equipment. We use technology when it can help us better understand your oral health, carefully plan your treatment, and provide the appropriate care for your smile.
What to Expect During Your Gum Graft Consultation
If you are concerned about receding gums, your first visit gives us an opportunity to determine what is happening and discuss your options.
We will examine the areas of recession and evaluate the health of your gums and teeth. We may also discuss symptoms such as sensitivity or changes you have noticed in your smile.
Your consultation may include an evaluation of:
- The location and amount of gum recession
- The thickness and health of your existing gum tissue
- Whether tooth roots are exposed
- The health of the affected teeth
- Your overall periodontal health
- Your bite and surrounding dental structures
- Any existing restorations in the area
From there, we can discuss whether tissue grafting or another form of periodontal treatment is appropriate.
We want you to understand your treatment before moving forward, so this is also a good opportunity to ask questions about the procedure, healing process, and expected results.
Protecting Your Gums After Treatment
A gum graft can restore tissue to an area that needs additional coverage, but protecting your gums afterward is just as important.
Good oral hygiene helps maintain both your natural teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. However, aggressive brushing can be hard on the gums, so technique matters just as much as consistency.
After you have healed, focus on habits that support long-term gum health:
After you have healed, focus on habits that support long-term gum health:
- Brush Gently: Clean your teeth thoroughly without aggressively scrubbing along the gumline.
- Clean Between Your Teeth: Floss or use other recommended tools to remove plaque from areas your toothbrush cannot reach.
- Keep Regular Dental Visits: Professional cleanings and exams allow us to monitor your gum health over time.
- Watch for Changes: Pay attention to new sensitivity, visible roots, or changes in the position of your gumline.
- Follow Personalized Recommendations: Your dental team may provide specific instructions based on your periodontal health.
- Ask About New Recession: If you notice another area beginning to recede, schedule an evaluation rather than waiting for it to become more noticeable.
Consistent home care combined with professional dental care can help you protect your gums and the rest of your smile.
Why Choose Pelican Dental for Gum Grafts in Redondo Beach?
When it comes to treating gum recession, experience, careful planning, and personalized care matter. At Pelican Dental in Redondo Beach, we combine periodontal expertise with advanced dental technology.
Here are a few reasons patients choose Pelican Dental for gum and periodontal care:
If you are concerned about receding gums or exposed tooth roots, our team can help you understand what is happening and determine whether gum grafting may be appropriate for you.
Give Your Gums the Support They Need at Pelican Dental
A healthy smile depends on more than healthy teeth. Your gums provide essential support and protection, and changes in your gumline deserve attention.
If you have noticed receding gums, exposed tooth roots, increased sensitivity, or a tooth that seems longer than the others, Pelican Dental in Redondo Beach can evaluate your gum health and help determine whether tissue grafting is right for you.
Schedule a consultation at Pelican Dental in Redondo Beach today or call us to learn more about gum grafting and your periodontal treatment options.