Gum Recession in Pitt Meadows

If the gum tissue around your tooth doesn’t surround the tooth properly, and the root is exposed, it’s called a gum recession. In the subsequent stages of gum recession, the gum becomes inflamed, and pockets are created around the tooth, which can also be followed by loss of supporting bone structure. If this is not treated in its initial phase, it can result in tooth mobility and ultimately tooth loss.

Generally, gum recession happens slowly and is unnoticed by the patient. It often starts with tooth sensitivity. After some time, the patient might also notice that the teeth are becoming longer looking than usual. If gum recession happens, the gum cannot regenerate on its own, and gum grafting may be required.

Gum Grafting Surgery

Appropriate precautions can be taken if the gum recession is diagnosed at an early stage. If the case is in the advanced stage, or it is caused by frenum (muscle attachment) pulling the gum in an unnatural way, gum grafting can be a solution to prevent further damage.

There are various kinds of gum grafting surgery, and the most common one being the connective tissue graft and the free gingival graft. These kinds of gum grafting procedures are generally performed using local anesthetics.

Connective Tissue Graft

The connective tissue graft is performed in areas where minimal bone loss has happened around the affected tooth. This helps with the complete or the partial coverage of the root, depending on the case. In this procedure, a small flap is made on the palate (donor site). Then the tissue from under the flap (the graft) is removed and placed in the pocket, which was initially prepared on the recipient site (the tooth with the receded gum) to cover the recession. Stitches or sutures are then placed on the palate and the recipient site so that the graft doesn’t shift and is stabilized.

Free Gingival Graft

This is a procedure done when the bone loss is excessive around the tooth, or where the gum is too thin. This doesn’t help in repairing the recession, but it adds some tissue to the area to stop the progression of gum recession and prevent it from further damage to the tooth. For this procedure, a bit of the tissue is removed from the palate, which is then placed and stitched into the prepared area of the tooth that is being treated. Removing the tissue from the palate leaves an open area on the palate, which is then covered with a dressing.

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Contact Our Clinic

If you require consultation for gum grafting in Pitt Meadows, or have completed your gum grafting in Pitt Meadows and require further assistance, please call the clinic for an appointment. Please also call us if following your surgery on gum grafting in Pitt Meadows, you experience the following conditions:

• If there is heavy bleeding even after several hours after surgery.
• If the swelling in the grafting area increases or you experience pain after 3 days of the surgery.
• There is an odour or a bad taste in the mouth.
• You have fever.
• There is a reaction to the medication.

You can talk to our dentists or can get a follow-up appointment if the issue persists.

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