At St. Joseph Orleans Dental Centre in Ottawa, our dentist performs gum grafts for patients who have excessive gum recession and need to protect their teeth from damage, or for cosmetic reasons.
Request AppointmentA gum graft is an oral surgery procedure that is used to thicken gums. You may need this surgery to protect your teeth from the damaging effects of gum recession, or for aesthetic purposes.
As gum disease progresses, the gum tissue pulls back from the teeth and exposes the tooth root. An exposed tooth root is susceptible to decay. If left untreated, it can cause severe tooth sensitivity and lead to eventual tooth loss. A gum graft can help to repair the gums, reduce any associated symptoms and protect your oral health.
Some patients may choose to have a gum graft for cosmetic reasons. A gum graft can be used to remove excess gum tissue or to reshape an uneven gum line and help improve the perceived size of the gums and teeth.
Depending on the level of gum recession, your surgery could take one to two hours. Your dentist will provide you with anesthetic during the procedure, so your mouth will be frozen in the treatment area and you won't feel any pain.
In many gum grafting procedures the patient’s own tissue is used, usually taken from the roof of the mouth. A very thin piece of tissue is removed and carefully placed onto the area where the gums have receded. It is then carefully attached with fine sutures.
It may take one to two weeks for your mouth to fully heal after a gum graft procedure. You will be able to go home after the procedure and your dentist will give you instructions on how to care for your mouth.
You can expect to get back to your daily routine the next day, and after about two weeks, you should be able to brush and floss again. Your dentist will also ask that you schedule a follow-up appointment a week or so after the procedure so that they can make sure you're healing properly and the graft is successful.
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At St. Joseph Orleans Dental Centre, we're always happy to accept new patients into our dental family. Contact us to get started today.
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