Restore smile aesthetics, prevent tooth loss with advanced gum graft procedure in Burlington, ON

You may have heard of the phrase “long in the tooth.” As we get older, teeth can appear longer. As gums recede, teeth become more “exposed” and, therefore, look more prominent. This process presents more than a cosmetic concern. Fortunately, in the skilled and caring hands of Dr. Thelam Nguyen, the gum graft procedure in Burlington, ON at Tansley Woods Dentistry restores the harmonious, aesthetic proportions of your smile, as well as its healthy functionality.

The trouble with gum recession 

Gums are supposed to hug your teeth firmly. So, they can function as intended—to hold your teeth in place and to protect them. Receding gums can be symptomatic of underlying conditions, such as gum disease. As the soft tissue pulls away from your teeth, little by little, more of the crown or white portion of the tooth becomes visible. This is why your smile can look “toothier” than it did in the past. Oral health suffers since the roots of your teeth are no longer protected by overlying gum tissue, which leaves you susceptible to:

• Tooth sensitivity, especially to sweet, hot, and cold foods and beverages
• Pain when brushing and flossing over and around unprotected roots
• Decay that threatens the structure and health of the tooth

Treatment explained

Just as Dr. Nguyen rebuilds portions of broken or damaged teeth, he can also reconstruct receding gums. The “graft” part of the procedure refers to donor tissue that is placed in areas where gums have thinned. Dr. Nguyen places AlloDerm, a biocompatible material that has been used since the 1990s to treat burn patients. If gum grafting is appropriate for you, Dr. Nguyen assures any build-up of debris on the teeth and gums is removed. A local anesthetic is administered for enhanced comfort. Once the treatment site is fully numbed, a small pocket is made where AlloDerm is placed. The transferred tissue is then stabilized with stitches.

As treated gums heal, the grafted tissue joins to the surrounding gums naturally. So, AlloDerm effectively becomes part of the body’s living tissues and, further, provides a foundation for regeneration as a scaffolding for new cells.

Dr. Nguyen’s approach to rebuilding thin or damaged gums:

• minimizes the risk of tissue rejection associated with other grafting materials, as AlloDerm is compatible with living tissues
• only creates one wound or treatment site, instead of two sites (when tissue is removed from the palate or other parts of the mouth for grafting)
• stops further gum recession
• reduces sensitivity and heightens comfort when brushing, flossing, and eating
• prevents threats to the health and structural integrity of teeth, by covering exposed root surfaces
• elevates the appearance of the smile, which boosts confidence and self-image

Dr. Nguyen walks you through what to expect well in advance of your procedure. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to evaluate how well the gums are healing and regenerating. He will also advise on how to keep the treatment site clean and prescribe medications or products to minimize swelling and the risk of complications, such as infections. Refrain from certain foods (chewier options) as instructed by Dr. Nguyen. It’s important that sutures remain in place, so your new tissue remains intact.

With proper care, your healthy gums will be revealed in around two to six months. Since every patient is different, Dr. Nguyen looks forward to meeting you during a personalized consultation. Call (289) 273-4289 to schedule your appointment at the Burlington, ON office of Tansley Woods Dentistry.

Share this Article