Gum Recession: Can It Expose the Tooth Roots? Before and After Gum Grafting! / Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

Hello, this is Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic 😊

Happy New Year, everyone!

Have you all made your plans for the new year?

Leaving behind the things you regret or were unable to finish,

we hope you can take each step forward with a fresh mindset.

Today, we would like to talk about gum grafting!

For specific reasons or simply with age,

the gums naturally recede.

In particular, because the front teeth, which are visible to the naked eye, are a representative area where gum recession occurs,

many people experience considerable discomfort not only functionally,

but also aesthetically.

Receded gums caused by gum recession

may be treated with gum grafting in some cases.

Let’s look at an actual gum grafting case

and examine the process and results!

What Is Gum Recession?

Gum recession is a condition in which the gum tissue surrounding the teeth

gradually moves downward,

exposing the tooth roots.

The main causes include

inflammatory diseases such as periodontal disease, improper toothbrushing habits,

and insufficient care after orthodontic treatment or dental implant placement.

When the gums recede, the teeth may appear longer,

creating an aesthetic concern,

and the teeth may become sensitive or painful.

In particular, because the root area of the tooth is sensitive to external stimuli,

it may become vulnerable to temperature changes

and may be more prone to cavities.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is a method of transplanting insufficient gum tissue

to restore receded gums.

Tissue is usually harvested from the roof of the mouth,

where aesthetic considerations are less important and recovery is rapid,

and grafted onto the necessary area.

Over time, it naturally integrates with the gums.

✅ Restoration of receded gums

✅ Improved dental health

✅ Restored confidence

If the cause of gum recession is inflammation in the gums,

gum treatment should be performed first.

Gum grafting is not suitable for everyone with gum recession,

so you should discuss thoroughly with a professional

whether gum grafting is necessary before proceeding.

This is because there are cases in which gum grafting can provide the full expected effect,

while in other cases it may be determined that gum grafting

will not be effective.

Gum Grafting: Before and After

Here is a case in which receded gums were improved

through gum grafting.

#CASE 01

Lower Gum Recession

This patient visited us after believing that the lower gums had receded

after orthodontic treatment.

When excessive force is applied to the teeth or the teeth move too quickly,

root resorption or severe resorption of the alveolar bone may occur,

which can lead to gum recession.

However,

this patient’s gum recession was caused by something other than orthodontic treatment,

so we decided to treat it with gum grafting.

Appearance after suture removal two weeks later

Precautions After Gum Grafting 🚫

After gum grafting surgery,

you must keep the following precautions in mind

for recovery.

✅ Avoid irritation

For about one week,

be careful to avoid irritating the gum grafting site as much as possible.

✅ Antiseptic mouthwash for cleanliness

Since you cannot brush the gum grafting site for about five days,

you should frequently use antiseptic mouthwash

to keep the area clean.

✅ Wear the palatal fixation appliance

The palatal fixation appliance used to help the roof of the mouth recover

should be worn properly for about two to three days.

Gum Grafting Q&A

Q. Can gum grafting relieve tooth sensitivity❓

Tooth sensitivity caused by gum recession develops gradually.

Continuous irritation to the exposed tooth root

can make the tooth hypersensitive, causing sensitivity.

If the exposed tooth root is improved by grafting gum tissue over it,

tooth sensitivity may be relieved.

Q. Will the roof of the mouth be okay after tissue is harvested❓

Compared with other areas, the gum tissue on the roof of the mouth is firm,

and the tissue is thick enough to allow a sufficient amount to be harvested.

A sufficient amount must be harvested beyond the amount needed for grafting,

but only an amount that does not place excessive strain on the palatal gum tissue is taken,

so healing is relatively fast.

However, the palatal area is directly touched by the tongue,

so achieving close contact with minimal suturing can minimize the patient’s discomfort.

Q. Can I eat after gum grafting❓

You may eat two hours after surgery,

but it is best to avoid hot or irritating foods.

You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol,

and consume a liquid diet for five days after surgery

to support a quick recovery.

Lifestyle Habits to Prevent Gum Recession

The important thing to remember is that

once the gums recede, they are very difficult to restore.

Therefore, it is important to take good care of them regularly.

This is also something you should follow

to maintain healthy gums after gum grafting.

✅ Proper toothbrushing

Use a soft toothbrush,

being careful not to irritate the gums or brush too forcefully,

and clean thoroughly up to the boundary between the gums and teeth.

✅ Regular dental checkups

You should visit the dentist regularly at least once every six months

to check the condition of your gums, receive scaling,

and receive early treatment if necessary.

✅ A balanced diet

Eating vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C

may help maintain gum health.

You should also reduce your sugar intake

to lessen the burden on your teeth and gums.

Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

has started Sunday appointments!

Visit Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic,

where weekend appointments are available,

and protect your oral health! 😁

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