Help With Receding Gums

Periodontal Disease, or gum disease, is very common, with roughly half of Americans 30 years and older suffering from this condition. If you or a loved one is suffering from gum disease, you may experience receding gums. Dr. Mehrdad Favagehi and Dr. Lourdes Christopher at Falls Church Periodontics & Dental Implant Surgery Falls Church, VA can use gum grafting and other gum disease treatments to restore and strengthen your smile.

How Periodontists Use Gum Grafting to Reverse Gum Loss

Unfortunately, your body often can’t reverse gum loss on its own, so it’s important to seek medical treatment quickly. With gum grafting, however, a periodontist may be able to safeguard your oral health.

Not only can this improve looks and your smile, but it can also protect your teeth. As gums recede, your teeth are left exposed. This may increase the risk of infections and other complications. And as gum disease progresses, your condition may worsen. In the early stages of periodontal disease, you may notice that your gums are bleeding when you brush your teeth. This is often referred to as gingivitis. Later, your tooth could loosen and fall out. Or you may suffer severe oral infections.

If gum disease is caught at an early stage, you can often avoid tooth loss and other serious complications. As gum disease progresses, the damage will increase. Often, your body won’t be able to heal without the help of a dental expert. Using gum grafting in Falls Church, VA, Dr. Mehrdad Favagehi or Dr. Lourdes Christopher at Falls Church Periodontics & Dental Implant Surgery, can strengthen your gums.

How Does Gum Grafting Work

With tissue grafting, tissue from one part of your body is transferred to another part of your body. In the case of gum grafting, tissues are taken and grafted onto your gums in order to offset lost tissue. When it comes to gum grafts, there are three common types of grafts:

• Pedicle grafting: With this graft, your periodontist will create a flap, called a pedicle, near the receding gum, and then fold it over to cover receding gums. This gum grafting technique is only recommended for those with plenty of gum tissue.
• Free gingival grafting: A small amount of tissue is removed from the roof of your mouth and placed directly onto the gum area to be treated.
• Connective-tissue grafting: The most common type of grafting, your periodontist will cut a small fold into the roof of your mouth. Then the subepithelial connective tissue found underneath the flap is attached to your gums. The graft flap is then closed.

 If you’re suffering from bleeding gums, or notice that your gums are swollen, tender, or receding, you should contact a periodontist right away. If you’d like to learn more about treatment options, call (703) 237-3700. Dr. Favagehi or Dr. Christopher at Periodontics & Dental Implant Surgery in Falls Church, VA explain gum grafting.