Do Gums Grow Back After Bone Graft?
The short answer to this question is: no, gums will not naturally grow back following a bone graft procedure. One of the most common reasons gums recede in the first place, and why a bone graft is necessary is due to damage caused by advanced periodontal disease. Additional reasons gum recession can occur include aggressive brushing of one’s teeth, bruxism, buildup of tartar, or simply due to genetic predisposition. Whatever the underlying reason, gum recession that is allowed to advance can eventually cause other oral health issues to develop, such as advanced periodontitis or the loss of jawbone.
If periodontal disease is the underlying cause of your gum and/or bone loss, there are several treatments that may be performed, including a scale and root planing procedure, osseous surgery, or regular periodontal maintenance, along with changes in one’s oral health routine and/or lifestyle habits.
If bone loss has occurred, it will be necessary to first perform a bone graft to ensure that there is enough jawbone material to support a dental implant. Once this procedure is complete, a patient may pursue a variety of treatment options for correcting recessed gums.
The three most commonly performed types of grafts are connective tissue graft, free gingival graft, and pedicle graft. Most grafts performed are connective tissue grafts, which involve taking tissue from your palate and stitching it over multiple areas to cover the exposed roots.
Though not available at all clinics, Pinhole Surgical Technique is also a popular treatment option for correcting recessed gums. Pinhole Surgical Technique eliminates the needs for sutures and scalpels and restores the natural gumline by making a series of small pinholes into the gums. Next, a small device is inserted into these pinholes that allows your periodontist to push the soft tissue back to the desired level over your teeth.
Because local anesthetics will be applied, you will not experience any pain while the gum grafting or Pinhole Surgical Technique is being performed, however once the procedure is complete and the anesthesia has worn off, you will likely experience some swelling and mild discomfort for a few days. One of the biggest differences between gum grafting and Pinhole Surgical Technique is that Pinhole Surgical Technique is much less invasive, which results in a faster recovery and less post-procedural pain; however, this may not be the most effective procedure in all scenarios.
Aftercare Following Your Bone Grafting Procedure
Following your dental bone/and or gum grafting procedure, your periodontist will go over postoperative care instructions, which you should follow closely to ensure a fast recovery process and avoid developing complications. These instructions may include things like avoiding physical activities, sticking to a modified diet of softer foods for a few weeks, as well as a prescription for pain medication and/or antibiotics. It is important to take any medications you are prescribed as directed until your prescription runs out, especially antibiotics, as taking these will reduce your risk of developing an infection. Once your graft has fully healed, you can resume all normal activities and return to your standard oral hygiene routine.