Protecting the health and restoring the beauty of your smile with gum grafting
Healthy gums are firm, and there is a strong seal between this soft tissue and the teeth. When the gums become damaged due to disease or even aggressive brushing and dental care, this soft tissue recedes or pulls away from the teeth. As gum recession occurs, your smile may look increasingly “long in the tooth” – a reference to how more teeth are exposed as there is less gum tissue to cover them. Desert Ridge Periodontics & Implant Dentistry in Scottsdale, Arizona, has the specialized expertise and on-site capabilities to rebuild the gumline with grafting. This treatment protects oral health and restores your smile’s youthful, balanced appearance.
What is grafting?
These procedures refer to taking tissue from one part of the body or another source and transferring it to another part of the body that needs it. The harvested or transferred tissue is known as a “graft.” Due to our considerable in-house expertise, we provide many grafting services. These services may build up deteriorated hard tissues (like bone in the jaw) or soft tissues (like the gums that surround, protect, and support the teeth).
Why would I need a soft tissue graft?
Soft tissue grafts may be recommended for both health/functional and cosmetic purposes. Gum recession alters the appearance of your smile. An attractive smile is perfectly proportioned, with the gums and teeth complementing each other in size, projection, and contours. When your gums recede, it can also be a sign of periodontal/gum disease. This condition is a leading cause of tooth loss. It is also important for the roots of the teeth to have some protection. When there is insufficient soft tissue covering the teeth, you may be at risk of developing dental decay.
What happens if I don’t treat receding gums?
Oral problems do not just go away on their own. You need a little help in the form of professional care. When not treated promptly and properly, the roots of your teeth may become exposed. This root exposure leaves your teeth vulnerable to sensitivity, decay, and gum recession. As the gums continue to recede, the pockets or spaces between the teeth grow. These periodontal pockets harbor disease-causing bacteria and plaque. The combination of exposed roots and receding gums can affect your smile, too, which can greatly impact your self-pride and confidence.
What can I expect from treatment?
Of course, no two treatments are the same. At Desert Ridge Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we recognize that each patient is unique and techniques are highly tailored to your specific needs, characteristics, and goals. Generally, we ensure you are completely comfortable and relaxed before accessing any tissues. This involves the use of “helpers” like a precision anesthetic.
The graft may be taken from another part of your mouth or another source, which we can discuss during a visit to our office. The graft is expertly placed over root exposure and gum recession areas. We then ensure the tissue used to rebuild your gumline is secure. Before you leave, our team will provide instructions on caring for your mouth as your gums heal.
Proudly serving our neighbors in the Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Peoria, and Mesa, AZ area, our office welcomes any specific questions—call us at (602) 932-6297 today.
At Desert Ridge Periodontics, patients benefit from the expertise of Dr. Dan Indech, DDS, a board-certified periodontist with more than 30 years of experience in periodontal care, dental implants, and laser surgery. Trained at leading institutions in Canada, the U.S., and Sweden, he has placed over 10,000 implants and is nationally recognized for his work in Implantology and LANAP® laser periodontal therapy.
Dr. Indech and the team deliver compassionate, evidence-based periodontal and implant care focused on long-term oral health and personalized treatment.
