When is it too late for gum grafting? (2023)

What percentage of gum grafts are successful?

Gum grafting boasts high success rates of over 90%. This procedure gives you the best chance of treating gum recession and improving your overall oral health. Left untreated, gum recession can result in cavities, severe gum disease, tooth mobility and even eventual tooth loss.

If the gums recede too much, it may result in bone loss, which can cause teeth to loosen or fall out.

The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.

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.

As the gums recede, they form pockets between the tooth and the gums, which become a breeding ground for bacteria buildup. Over time, the bacteria hardens into plaque and tartar, putting you at risk for infections, tooth decay, and advanced gum disease.

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 Far Can Gums Recede? Gums can recede to the extent at which the uppermost portion of the root becomes visible. Damage can also extend to the ligament and the bone, where it cannot be seen.

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. Your teeth can become more sensitive when brushing or when eating as well.

Cost of Gum Graft Surgery

The base cost of a gum graft can be between $600 and $1200 per tooth. A periodontist is a specialist so is likely to have a higher fee. Donor tissue is more expensive than tissue that is harvested from the roof of your mouth.

How can I stimulate my gums to regenerate?

Sensodyne Toothpaste

The top toothpaste available on the market that helps reduce sensitivity caused by receding gums is Sensodyne.

The average cost of gum tissue graft surgery ranges from $700 to $1,000. If gum contouring is performed to give the gums a more attractive appearance during the procedure the cost can climb to around $1,500.

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.

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.

Mild pain was most common, being reported 70.3 percent of the time. Moderate to severe pain was reported 29.7 percent of the time. The average duration of pain for gum grafting surgery was 2 days. Periodontal plastic surgery, which includes gum grafting, was associated with more pain than other procedures.

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.

Improved Smile Appearance & Function

Gum grafting is one of the most common soft tissue treatments we provide. It can enhance the appearance of the smile, relieve dental sensitivity, and even improve the chances for successful dental implant placement.

In comparison to traditional gum grafting, the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique offers significant advantages. While a gum graft requires incisions and sutures, pinhole surgery is performed through a tiny opening in the gums. As a result, no scalpels or stitches are necessary.

Although it might sound scary, a variety of gum grafting procedures are routinely performed by periodontists (specialists in the area of gingival tissue), and by some general dentists with specialized training in this field.

Do gum grafts look natural?

Soft Tissue Gum Grafts Restore Original Root Coverage

After treatment and healing, many people can barely tell where the graft is because it looks so natural — a perfect match with existing gum tissue.

Poor oral hygiene can cause receding gums in two ways. First, if you do not brush your teeth properly, some plaque remains, which can buildup up tartar. Tartar breeds disease-causing bacteria which affect the gums, causing them to recede towards the tooth root. The second is through aggressive hygiene.

Don't brush roughly when trying to get all the grub and plaque away. Instead, massage your brush into your teeth with gentle pressure, moving slowly and methodically around your teeth. Use short motions, about one tooth wide, to reduce the friction on your gums.