Gum Grafting in Weston, Toronto, ON
The sure signs of receding gums are teeth looking longer with sensitivities to hot and cold foods and drinks. Gum grafting is the treatment for receding gums to prevent further loss of gum tissue.
Our doctors at King & Weston Dental, in Toronto, ON, are dedicated to educating their patients, current and new, on the treatment, the benefits, and the prevention of gum grafting.
The Causes of Gum Recession
A common cause of receding gums is periodontal disease due to inadequate oral healthcare. There are other contributing causes like genetics, hormonal changes and diabetes. Smokers are four times more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers.
Treatment for Receding Gums
If gum recession is too extensive for a professional cleaning, then scaling and root planing are the first treatments to prevent further recession. Scaling, root planing and flap surgery are more aggressive techniques in a professional cleaning. If these aggressive techniques prove inadequate, then gum graft surgery is the final step. Grafting, the most invasive of the procedures, will heal the affected areas and will help prevent further tissue loss and infection.
Types of Gum Grafts
There are three types of grafting procedures, all of which are discussed below.
- Connective Tissue – this is the most common of the procedures. Tissue is taken from the roof of the patient’s mouth and stitched over the exposed root or the affected area.
- Gingival Grafts – this procedure is similar to the connective tissue graft, but the tissue is taken from the patient’s palate.
- Pedicle Grafts – this procedure uses tissue adjacent to the affected tooth or area.
Tissues used for any of the above procedures may also be donated, medically-processed tissue or synthetic when there is not ample tissue in the patient’s mouth.
Benefits of Gum Grafting
Gum grafting not only protects the tooth’s root from exposure and eliminates the hot/cold sensitivity, but it prevents further recession and bone loss. Grafting will result in an even gumline for a confident smile.
Prevention with Consistent and Adequate Oral Healthcare
The prevention of periodontal disease is the diligence in maintaining dental check-ups and consistent oral care at home. Usually, the dental hygienist is the first to notice receding gums. The professional cleaning performed during a regular check-up will remove the plaque and tartar leading to gum disease and will prevent further damage.
Gum disease may progress faster through teeth grinding and misaligned teeth. Mouthguards and straightening options can be recommended by, and discussed with, your dentist.
The first symptoms of periodontal disease are gums that are red and swollen, that bleed easily and accompanied with chronic bad breath.
If you are experiencing any of the first symptoms mentioned above, you may be a candidate for gum grafting and an exam and a consultation are in order. Please contact the doctors and the oral healthcare professionals at King and Weston Dental, located in Toronto, ON, where new patients are always welcome.