Gum Grafting

Gum disease can ruin your oral health and it can perpetuate the condition by changing the gum tissues. Deep pockets are formed that hold in bacteria and make gum disease hard to clear up. For this reason, at Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, we perform gum grafting.

Even patients with healthy teeth and gums can have recessed gums that need grafting to fix them; however, gum disease is a common reason why gums recess. It can even create those previously mentioned pockets that trap bacteria. A gum graft is needed to return the gums back to a healthy state and protective state.

The gums should fit around the teeth snugly. They should be loose enough so you can floss, but tight enough so that bacteria and other debris cannot fall down into them. To build the gum tissue back up, gum tissue will be taken from another area in the mouth and moved to the area where it is needed. Often, the tissue will be taken from the palate or another area of the gums where there is excess tissue. The tissue is then stitched down into place for healing. The tissue will also promote further growth from the gums. The end result is a gumline that is healthy, protective of the teeth, and does not allow a resurgence of gum disease.

To learn more about gum disease, recession, and gum grafting, be sure to visit our website. To schedule an appointment with Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, give us a call at (425) 271-7725 or visit our website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

Pocket Reduction Surgery

When gum disease advances, it can create deep pockets in the gums that continue the cycle of gum disease. When these pockets are too large to heal on their own, a pocket reduction procedure is necessary. At Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, we perform pocket reduction surgery, sometimes called osseous surgery, so our patients can keep gum disease away.

To begin pocket reduction, your dentist will lift the gums up and away so that the deepest bacteria can be reached and removed. After the bacteria are cleared out from the gums and teeth, your dentist will replace the gum tissue so that it is tight against your teeth. This restores the proper fit of your gums around your teeth so that they do not collect bacteria.

The end result is a natural-looking gum line. It should be loose enough for normal at-home care like flossing but snug enough so that bacteria cannot reach deep down by the tooth’s root.

If you suspect you have gum disease, do not wait to seek treatment. Schedule an appointment at our Renton, WA office by calling (425) 271-7725 or by visiting our Fairwood Dental Center website, www.fairwooddental.com.