Gum recession occurs when gum tissue wears away and exposes more of the tooth. This condition causes gaps to form between the teeth and gum line, allowing bacteria to build up. Left untreated, the surrounding bone and tissue of the teeth may face severe damage and eventually lead to tooth loss.
So what causes gum recession? Gum disease is one of the common causes. However, this condition can also occur as a result of genetics, aggressive tooth brushing, inadequate dental care, an improper bite, clenching and grinding, and hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause.
Fortunately, Dr. Samadian effectively treats many patients with gum recession through minimally invasive techniques. Keep reading to learn about what they are.
Pinhole Gum Lifting
One of the common techniques Dr. Samadian uses is pinhole gum lifting. During the procedure, Dr. Samadian uses a pinhole to make a small incision in your gums. Then, he’ll gently reposition your gum tissue and add synthetic graft materials to pull down your gum tissue through the pinhole. This way, he will not have to take a piece of the gum from the roof of the mouth as you’d see with traditional gum grafting techniques.
Then, Dr. Samadian will insert tiny collagen sticks to increase collagen production and allow for beautiful results. There is no general anesthesia involved and you can expect the entire treatment to take anywhere between 1 and 2 hours.
You will find pinhole gum lifting to be a comfortable, effective treatment for gum recession that allows you to maintain your long-term dental health.
Connective Tissue Graft
The connective tissue graft begins with a small incision in the roof of your mouth, from under which Dr. Samadian harvests subepithelial tissue. The donor tissue is then stitched to your gum tissue and the palatal flap is closed. The new graft is less prone to excessive bleeding, and healing is faster. You’ll receive thorough aftercare instructions, which include substituting a mouth rinse in place of brushing or flossing around the graft site for 2 weeks. This technique is ideal when synthetic tissue grafts are not indicated.
Free Gingival Graft
The free gingival graft is similar to soft tissue grafting in terms of using donor tissue, though the techniques during the procedure may differ. A small incision is made in your gum line at the recession location, and the donor tissue is sutured in place, with specific care taken with the blood supply to ensure healthy graft attachment. This method is utilized when a patient has naturally thin gums and needs additional tissue for gum rejuvenation. Dr. Samadian performs this procedure with local anesthetic, and while there is some discomfort during recovery, it’s not disruptive to your lifestyle.
Tunneling Technique
Dr. Samadian also employs the tunnel technique for treating gum recession, which involves no incisions in preparing the site of the gum graft. After a thorough cleaning of the affected teeth, Dr. Samadian inserts a special instrument around the tooth, horizontally beneath the arches of the gumline, while carefully not detaching the gum from between the teeth. This creates a tunnel through which a graft of your donor tissue or synthetic tissue can be placed. Once the graft is inserted, Dr. Samadian anchors it with stitches, securing the graft over the receded gum line to cover the exposed tooth and/or root surface. Healing results in a gum line that isn’t excessively toothy and supports long term dental and tooth sensitivity health.
Take The Next Step
If you are interested in gum recession treatment, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Amin Samadian in Orinda, CA today. You can count on him to help you make an informed decision. Call usor fill out our convenient online contact form.
