Indications for gum graft surgery for people with receding gums

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was consulted with Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Trung Hau - Doctor of Odonto-Stomatology - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.
Receding gums is a fairly common dental disease today. Although it is not too dangerous, it affects the aesthetics and causes discomfort for the patient. So how should people with this disease be treated?

1. What is receding gums?

Gums, also known as gums, are the skin that covers the roots of teeth. When the skin layer is affected or muscle atrophy, the skin layer will gradually thin to reveal the tooth roots called gum recession.
If not treated right away, the gum layer will gradually recede, making the roots look longer, affecting the aesthetics. Not only that, when the tooth roots are exposed, it will create conditions for food to adhere to, causing gingivitis, tooth sensitivity, and even tooth fracture.
Anyone is at risk of this disease, mainly appearing in the outer teeth such as: canines, incisors.
Receding gums is divided into 2 types: Receding upper jaw and reclining lower jaw. Receding maxillary gums is easier to detect because it has the most cosmetic effect. The receding gums can easily be seen, exposing the gaps in the roots of the teeth. As for the lower jaw, it will be more difficult to detect because the lower lip has covered most of the gums and teeth.

2. Signs of receding gums?

Gum disease often has no clear specific signs, so it is easy to mistake it for other common oral diseases. Therefore, if you have the following symptoms, you need to go for a careful examination:
Gums are red, swollen, feel sore Easy bleeding gums when brushing or flossing Bad breath When lightly touching the gums, see pus or blood Roots of teeth gradually exposed Sensitivity when eating and drinking Sensation of teeth loosening when chewing.

3. Causes of receding gums

Receding gums can be caused by gingivitis or it can also be caused by bad daily habits. Some typical causes of receding gums are:
Gingivitis: Due to a long-term untreated bacterial attack, it destroys bone tissue and gums Improper brushing: This is the most common cause of receding gums. gums. It is possible to use a brush that is too hard or due to incorrect brushing technique, which adversely affects the gums Tartar: This is a long-term accumulation of plaque containing bacteria that attack tooth enamel, which is the main cause of diseases such as: bad breath, tooth decay, gingivitis Hormonal changes: Is the cause of some girls during puberty or pregnancy, during perimenopause,... Periodontal disease: The bacteria do not not only causes gingivitis but also destroys gum tissue, leading to gum shrinkage Genetically: Up to 30% of the population has sensitive teeth and is prone to gum diseases Congenital: There are cases lack of epidermal cells around the roots of the teeth Effects of cosmetic methods: Many cases of receding gums are caused by bad consequences of teeth whitening, orthodontic,... incorrect techniques.

4. Gum graft surgery method

In mild cases of receding gums, it can be treated with antibiotics. The dentist will clean the gums, clean deep inside the receding gums to prevent bacteria from multiplying, and then prescribe the right medicine to remove the remaining bacteria. But for the case of severely receding gums, the method of gum grafting surgery is the most commonly used and effective method.
Gum graft surgery is a procedure to reshape gums, restore damaged gums and prevent gum recession from becoming worse. This is a useful way to prevent the gum area from being destroyed, affecting the teeth and bones.
When the treatment with gum grafting is indicated, the dentist will remove the gums, then use the gum tissue in the palatal part or other suitable areas to implant in the position of receding gums. .
Finally, the dentist will sew up the wound and cover the gums with artificial biofilm and the receding part of the gums. The average time for wound healing after surgery is about 6 weeks and for gum tissue to be reconstructed like the original is 1 year.

5. Popular methods of gum grafting

Currently, there are three popular methods of gum grafting, suitable for the actual condition of each patient.
5.1 Connective tissue graft This is a treatment for a root infection. The dentist will use the skin taken from the roof of the mouth and the subepithelial connective tissue to sew into the gum tissue around the receding tooth root.
5.2 Free gingival graft A procedure similar to a connective tissue graft, often used for people with thin gums that need more tissue to enlarge the gums. A volume of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth to attach to the gum area being treated for the purpose of creating a flap and removing the tissue layer below the top layer of flesh.
5.3 Stem graft In cases of receding gums where there is a lot of gum tissue near the teeth, the gum area around the teeth will be used for repair. The stem or gingival flap will be partially cut away and then pulled down to cover the exposed tooth root and sewn in place.
Treatment of receding gums must be examined and prescribed by a doctor with experience and expertise in periodontitis to provide the best chewing function and long-term aesthetics while ensuring health. Therefore, when choosing gum graft surgery, patients should look to reputable dentists, doctors with expertise and a system of modern dental equipment for treatment.
Dentistry department at Vinmec International General Hospital is proud of being a prestigious and quality medical system chain. Gathering a team of good doctors in the field of dentistry, dedicated and thoughtful in examining and treating thousands of cases of periodontitis successfully; All dental services are performed according to strict infection control standards, ensuring maximum safety and hygiene for customers.

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