When a Receding Gum Lift from a Periodontist May Be Needed

Gum contouring or gum reshaping are other names for a receding gum lift, and this procedure, completed by a periodontist, restores a person's gumline to cover the tooth adequately. The process is usually recommended by a dental specialist if a person has suffered significant gum recession that has nearly exposed the tooth's root.

The need for a receding gum lift

When gum coverage of the teeth is lost, patients should consider visiting the periodontist for a receding gum lift. Receding gums eventually leave a tooth's root exposed, resulting in injury, a loose tooth, or total tooth loss. A typical sign of periodontal disease is receding gums, and a trained dental health care professional should check them to ascertain the actual cause of the condition.

While the major goal of a gum lift operation is to safeguard and ensure that the teeth continue to function normally, it also has aesthetic advantages. Receding gums can make a person appear older or prematurely aged. If a patient's gums have receded significantly around one or more teeth, a gum lift treatment may be required. This can restore the tooth's health and function and prevent additional gum recession. Gum grafts are sometimes needed to fix the gumline's usual covering of the teeth.

What to expect during a receding gum lift

Periodontists typically perform the procedure on an outpatient basis in the dental office. First, they will administer a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area and minimize pain during the process. Based on the technique involved in the gum lift operation, the dentist may utilize various tools, and they may need to file down a tiny part of the tooth root to encourage reattachment of the restored gum line to the tooth.

The gum lift procedure involves harvesting a piece of healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth or another adjacent location. This tissue material is then grafted onto the gums to repair the receding gum tissue. As a two-step procedure, it uses healthy tissue to correct abnormalities and protect the smile from future issues.

Many distinct methods of gum grafting exist, each of which addresses a specific periodontal problem. The type of gum transplant depends on the severity of gum recession, the nature of the recession (whether the gums have receded between the teeth or solely on the front surface), and the extent to which the cheek covers the surgical area. Gum transplants are unique in that they need very little pre-operative work. Periodontists will inform the patient about the severity of the recession issue and what technique is most appropriate to fix it.

Diet restrictions and medications are not necessary before the gum lift procedure. However, patients may need to have someone drive them home afterward, since anesthesia and post-op medicine might make it risky to be alone or to drive.

The gum grafting procedure itself is short since the periodontist has already picked the donor tissue and sketched out the grafting spot. After the sutures are in place and the graft is placed, patients will be asked to rinse their mouths with an antimicrobial mouthwash. Additionally, the periodontist may advise patients to wait a few hours to make sure everything went as planned following the graft.

Recovering after receding gum lift

The patient should rest adequately after a gum lift treatment and minimize physical activity. For weeks after surgery, a patient's mouth will be healing, which means they need to avoid any actions that could harm the lifted gum tissue or slow down healing and recovery.

The dentist may recommend over-the-counter NSAID analgesics, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve pain and discomfort. Aspirin should not be used because it can thin the blood and might cause bleeding. Patients should avoid eating foods high in acid or seasoned foods for a few days after the surgery, as these might cause inflammation or irritation around the gums, which is detrimental to the healing process.

Until the gums have healed completely, patients should stick to only soft foods that can be readily chewed and swallowed. This will avoid putting pressure or strain on the treated teeth. If any adverse reactions occur during recovery, patients need to inform the dental professional immediately.

Final note

Patients who suspect that they have receding gums and want additional information should consult a professional periodontist. Contact the dental office to book an appointment and ask any questions that you may have regarding a receding gum lift. The dental professional will examine your oral cavity and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Request an appointment here: https://smilewellsouthbay.com or call SmileWell Family Dentistry at 3109046375 for an appointment in our Torrance office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Periodontics in Torrance, CA.