Gum Grafting Alternatives
In addition to straight, white teeth, a great smile also requires healthy gums. Patients whose gums have receded (either due to gum disease, genetic predisposition, aggressive brushing, or due to certain medications) may develop a smile that is much toothier in appearance, given that more tooth is exposed and less of the gum is present, which creates an imbalanced ratio and affects the appearance of the smile.
Traditionally, recessed gums have been corrected by performing a port huron gum graft procedure. Gum grafts can be performed a variety of ways. In a free gingival graft procedure, a small amount of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth and is then attached to the gum area. A connective tissue graft is similar, but the tissue is taken from under the top layer of flesh, which is accessed by making a flap, after which the flap is stitched shut. In the pedicle graft procedure, the pedicle is partially cut away and the gum is pulled down or over the exposed root. While each of these grafting procedures are effective in correcting recessed gums, there are alternative treatments that may also be considered, which are detailed below.
Platelet Rich Fibrin for Regeneration
After drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, the sample is placed in a centrifuge, which then separates the red bloods cells from the white blood cells and platelets. The platelets and white bloods cells are then used to make a membrane, which is inserted near the damaged or recessed area, which in turns promotes faster healing, improves recovery time, and reduces risk of infection.
Scaling and Root Planing
If gum recession is occurring due to periodontal disease, and if periodontal disease is caught in its early stage, it may be possible to halt the progression of gum recession with a scaling and root planning procedure. Similar to a deep cleaning, the scaling and root planning procedure removes plaque from the teeth and below the gumline using special instruments designed for this purpose. Once removed, the roots of the tooth are planed or smoothed, which provides your gums with an opportunity to heal. It may be necessary to schedule regular periodontal maintenance to prevent gums from recessing further, but for patients looking for a less invasive solution to treating recessed gums, this may be a good option.
Pinhole Surgical Technique
Pinhole Surgical Technique is an innovative treatment alternative for patients whose gums have recessed that can provide similar results to a gum graft but in a manner that is much less invasive, and as a result, less uncomfortable and with a faster recovery period. Rather than surgically removing and suturing grafting material, Pinhole Surgical Technique restores the gum line by making a tiny pinhole in your gum tissue using a small needle. Special instruments are then used to loosen your gum tissue and slide the gums into the proper position. Once in place, collagen strips, or at times donor tissue, are used to secure the gums and speed up the healing process.