Dentist Huntersville, NC
Your gums play a huge role in your dental health. In fact, gum diseases can actually lead to the loss of teeth even when these pearly whites do not have any trace of cavity. Gum diseases, whether they be gingivitis or the more serious periodontitis, can lead to the destruction of gingival tissues either through the thinning of these tissues, the recession of the gumline or both.
How are the consequences of gum diseases treated?
Complications requiring gum disease treatment in Huntersville, NC, such as gumline recession, may be treated with the help of gum grafts. These procedures basically involve the removal of a piece of gingival tissues and the transplantation of these tissues into another part of the mouth.
There are three ways that gum grafts can be done. The first one is by removing a piece of gingival tissue from the palate or the roof of the mouth. This can be done by either making a flap on the palate and removing the tissue found underneath the flap, or by removing part of the palate tissue directly, and then transplanting that piece of tissue into the part of the mouth which requires thickening. Another way that gum grafts can be done is through pedicle graft, wherein the tissue to be transplanted is found close to the final transplant area. However, instead of removing the tissue completely, one side of the tissue is not excised. The piece of gum tissue is then pulled to the area and then stitched there.
What happens during the entire procedure?
If you are worried about the pain of having gum grafts, then you do not have to worry to much. You will be placed under local anesthesia the entire time. However, if you have a low threshold for pain, or if you are anxious about the procedure still even with anesthetics, you can ask Dr. Langdon for sedatives to help you calm down throughout the duration of the procedure. Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, is the most convenient way to help you to calm down. You can also go for IV or oral sedatives, both of which can render you unconscious or only semi-conscious throughout the entire procedure.
What are the immediate effects of gum grafts?
Right after the procedure, you may feel sore especially the area of your mouth where the tissue has been removed. Avoid irritating the area by subsisting only of soft foods such as Jell-o or yogurt. Over-the-counter pain relievers are also effective in managing the pain.
—–