Are gum grafts worth it?

Is gum graft surgery worth it? Gum grafting boasts high success rates of over 90%. This procedure gives you the best chance of treating gum recession

gum recession

What is gum recession? Gum recession is a form of gum disease. It happens when your gum tissue pulls away from your teeth, exposing the roots underneath. This makes your teeth more vulnerable to cavities.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org › diseases › 22753-gum-recession

Gum Recession: Causes, Prevention, Surgery & Treatment

and improving your overall oral health. Left untreated, gum recession can result in cavities, severe gum disease, tooth mobility and even eventual tooth loss.

How long do gum grafts last?

No matter the type of oral procedure, proper care and maintenance are necessary to ensure results last as long as possible. With a gum graft, you can expect it to remain in place for a lifetime, but you will need to take care of your oral health on a daily basis.

What percentage of gum grafts are successful?

Recovery. The gum grafting procedure has a 90% success rate, therefore patients can feel confident the procedure will benefit them. Recovery from this procedure normally takes 4-6 weeks, during which patients will be asked not to brush or floss near the newly repaired area.

Do gum grafts look natural?

Because the “tunnelling” gum graft approach is minimally invasive, your new gum graft will be a natural pink color and look so natural, most of our patients cannot even tell which teeth were treated and which were not.

Is there an alternative to gum grafting?

One of the more popular alternatives to having a traditional gum graft performed is a newer procedure called the Pinhole Surgical Technique. Much like orthoscopic/laparoscopic surgery, this minimally invasive procedure corrects gum recession by making a small hole in your gumline.

How Much Does a Gum Graft Cost?

Who is not a candidate for gum graft?

Someone whose teeth are healthy

There is no reason to perform a gum graft for a tooth that is very loose or severely damaged. Instead, any tooth problems must be treated before undergoing the gum grafting procedure.

What is the average cost of gum grafting?

The average cost of gum graft surgery ranges from $600 to $1,200 per tooth. If gum contouring is performed to give the gums a more attractive appearance, it may add several hundred dollars to the total cost. Additional factors that impact the price of gum grafting include: Number of teeth being worked on.

Will gum grafting change my smile?

Soft Tissue Gum Grafts Restore Original Root Coverage

Treatment depends on each individual, but if its only a question of gum recession — showing a little more root — soft tissue gum grafts can be an ideal solution. Everyone who undergoes the procedure ends up with a more youthful smile.

At what point is a gum graft necessary?

Gum graft surgery is recommended when the gums have receded enough to expose the roots of your teeth. As the gums recede, they form pockets between the tooth and the gums, which become a breeding ground for bacteria buildup.

Is gum grafting covered by insurance?

Gum grafting is generally covered by insurance plan; however, every patient's plan will have different levels of coverage and out of pocket expenses.

How painful is gum grafting?

The actual gum grafting procedure is painless. This is because a local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area. A periodontist, who is a dental specialist in gum disease and the gums, typically performs this procedure. You may instead feel some movement or pressure as your periodontist performs the procedure.

How common is gum graft failure?

Gum grafting surgeries have a success rate of up to 90%. Besides, with local anesthesia, you should not experience any pain during your treatment. Afterward, your dentist will prescribe pain medication to help you manage your soreness after the numbing wears off.

Can a gum graft fall off?

Usually, you can tell you have a failed gum graft because you will have a large white patch of white tissue that has come off the tooth. Sometimes it may even look like the gum graft is falling off.

Is a gum graft considered major surgery?

Although a gum graft is not considered major dental surgery, it is best to consult with a specialist (periodontist) for optimum results. Preventing the need for gum grafts starts with knowing why gum recession occurs: Heredity – You can't change who your ancestors are, but you can take steps to manage your oral health.

Who is a candidate for gum grafting?

The right candidate for gum grafting

The ideal candidate for this type of procedure is one who has had severe periodontal disease around the gums and the teeth. This is the type of patient who would benefit from the procedure. There are several symptoms of gum disease.

How many teeth can be gum graft at once?

How many teeth need to be grafted? If you need many teeth in your mouth grafted and want to just get this procedure done once, then alloderm should definitely be considered. If you use your own tissue, the most teeth you can typically graft at once would probably be somewhere in the neighborhood of 7-8 teeth.

How long does it take for a gum graft to look normal?

It is recommended that you do not look at the site until after the first post-op appointment. Muscles in your lip and face may manipulate the location of the newly placed graft. Avoid any contact of the graft with your fingers or toothbrush. The whole healing process averages 4-6 weeks.

Can a general dentist do a gum graft?

The advantage to having a specialist do the graft is that they do the same procedure multiple times per day. A general dentist may not do as many grafts so the outcome may not be as good. It is also possible that the outcome could be great from the general dentist if the dentist is a n excellent surgeon.

Do gums grow back after gum graft?

Because we also have to contour the bone underneath your gums, the results are long-term, and the gum tissue will not grow back. However, to keep your mouth healthy, you should maintain good oral care.

Are you awake during gum graft surgery?

During your gum graft surgery, you'll probably be awake like most people, or perhaps opt to be sedated. Most patients do not require anything more than local anesthetics to numb the area. Once the area is numb you will only feel slight applied pressure but will not feel pain or sharpness.

Do gum grafts stop periodontitis?

Gum tissue grafting fights the damage caused by periodontal disease. By grafting healthy tissue onto weak, receding gums, we can help you prevent ongoing decay and reduce your risk of tooth loss.

Is gum grafting considered medical or dental insurance?

Dental insurance often covers at least part of the cost of a gum graft. If it is deemed medically necessary, medical insurance may provide some coverage for gum graft surgery as well since it is a surgical procedure. There are also payment plans and additional options available to help cover the cost of a gum graft.

Does a gum graft smell?

In addition, patients will frequently complain of a bad smell and indicate their graft is “dead.” Because plasmatic circulation is important to graft survival, pooling of blood — sufficient to form a clot at the interface between host and graft tissues — will be detrimental to success.

How long after a gum graft can you eat?

When can I eat my regular diet after a gum graft? Typically, your gum graft should heal within 14 days. After that, you can resume eating as you wish. However, the only away to know for certain is by consulting with your periodontist.

How long does your mouth hurt after gum graft?

The surgical area will normally be tender for one to two days. Tissue for the gum graft is often taken from your palate but may be obtained from other sites or be 'store bought' in the form of manufactured collagen. This area takes one to two weeks to heal.