Periodontal disease, or the bacterial infection of the gum tissue, is incredibly common in the United States. This condition affects over 40% of adults over the age of 30, and it can lead to serious consequences if you do not seek treatment from a trained oral healthcare professional. This rate increases with age, as neglect can pile up over time.
Your gums provide protection and stability to your smile. Poor hygiene of this material can lead to the infection within the tooth, which ultimately requires a root canal or even extraction. Thankfully, gingival grafting is a simple procedure that can help rejuvenate your gumline with ease. Today, your Cerritos, CA dentist explains how important your periodontal health is to the future of your smile. And some of the methods oral care providers can revive your gumline with minimal interruption to your daily life!
A Common Concern
The recession of the periodontal matter can be very unsettling for some. They may try to hide their smile, or choose to eat or speak in a different way. And that’s understandable, as our smiles are the first thing that people see when they meet us for the first time. But ignoring this concern does not do you any favors, and risk the likelihood that your situation will only get worse.
You should not feel embarrassed about your condition, as this is seen all over the world on a daily basis. But there is still stigma associated with poor oral hygiene. So we will work discreetly with you so that you don’t have to broadcast your procedure to the world.
A Periodontal Refresh
Once a bacterial infection has taken hold within your periodontal tissue, it can be very difficult to fight. For this reason, one of the most successful methods is the use of grafting technology. There are two common ways to approach this, and we will cover how both can benefit you.
The first concept is of a free gingival graft. In this procedure, your dentist will first clean the site. Any infected tissue will need to be removed so that re-infection does not occur. This can be frightening for patients, as taking any part of your mouth away feels unnatural. The remaining healthy material can then be stretched and attached to your natural gumline level.
If you need more coverage than your remaining material is able to handle, then a separate site will be needed for donation. This donor matter usually comes from the soft palate or the roof of the mouth, but sometimes it can come from other sources. The donor flesh is then implanted where it is necessary, ultimately growing into the new location.
Both of these processes require a soft diet, usually for around a week after your surgery. But it typically does not require general anesthesia, and you should be able to resume regular activities fairly quickly. As always, follow the advice of your dentist and give us a call if you have any concerns!
ABOUT YOUR CERRITOS, CA, ORAL SURGEON:
Dr. Shawn Hofkes and the staff at Cerritos Dental Surgery are highly qualified to address complex issues, including those that require oral surgery to correct. To schedule an appointment or consultation with Dr. Hofkes, contact us today by calling 562-584-4082. We proudly welcome patients of all ages from Cerritos, CA, and all surrounding communities, such as Lakewood, Long Beach, Buena Park, and more.
