Soft Tissue Grafting - Richland, WA

Advanced Soft Tissue Grafting for Healthier Gums

My Dental Anxiety Started When Anesthesia Didn’t Stop the Pain

Kristine's Story

Save Your Teeth and Smile with a Regenerative Gum Graft

Soft tissue grafting is an oral surgery treatment performed in patients with extensive damage to gum tissue, resulting from dental trauma or periodontal disease.

Also known as gum grafting, gum graft surgery in Richland, WA, involves transplanting gingival tissue into areas of the mouth that have experienced tissue recession. If gum recession isn’t treated promptly, the loss of gum tissue can also contribute to tooth loss.

Causes for the Loss of Gingival Tissue

Overaggressive brushing with a hard-bristle toothbrush
Hereditary thin gum tissue receding over time
Periodontal disease from inadequate brushing or flossing, allowing bacteria to grow between teeth and eat away at the underlying bone
Frequent vomiting from eating disorders
Dipping tobacco (or other tobacco products)
Grinding or clenching of the teeth (bruxism)
Piercings in the lip or tongue that wear away gum tissue
Incorrectly-fitting dentures that result in gum recession

Stabilize Teeth Impacted by Recession with a Gum Graft

A gum graft in Richland, WA, helps resolve many issues related to gum recession, including pain caused by hot, cold, or sweet foods. By restoring protective gum tissue, gum recession surgery at Implant & Periodontal Associates Northwest shields vulnerable roots from bacteria, decay, bone loss, and instability. Without gum graft surgery, ongoing gum recession can compromise your smile foundation and ultimately lead to the loss of a tooth or teeth.

Gum Grafts Provide Benefits to Your Smile Foundation

Covers exposed tooth roots to reduce sensitivity and discomfort
Helps prevent tooth decay and root damage
Stops or slows further gum recession
Protects against bone loss and supports long-term tooth stability
Improves gum health by creating a better seal against bacteria
Enhances smile aesthetics by restoring a more even gumline

Where Skilled Periodontics Meets Regenerative Healing

Our periodontist, Dr. Vikas Puri, will explain the procedure if you require a gum graft in Richland, WA, so you know what to expect as we work together to restore optimal oral health. When performing gum graft surgery at Implant & Periodontal Associates Northwest, Dr. Puri uses tissue taken from other healthy areas of your mouth or from a tissue bank. The donor graft is sutured onto the areas of your gums that need to be restored.

Dr. Puri may also use special medications and proteins to help your body heal faster and promote natural growth. Over time, the new tissue heals and is absorbed into your surrounding existing tissue, thereby helping to restore the areas of your mouth affected by gum recession.

Who Needs Gingival Grafting?

Most patients are unaware that their gums are receding because it’s often a slow-moving process. But sometimes, a patient may be able to tell they need a gum graft because their teeth look overly “long” in height because of recessed gums. The tooth roots that become exposed will also be a shade or two darker than the tooth crowns.

If you notice these cosmetic issues, it’s important to take gum recession extremely seriously. While it may not appear aesthetically unpleasant, gum recession can cause several health and functional issues related to the smile. If you experience soft tissue recession due to periodontal disease or another cause, Implant & Periodontal Associates Northwest provides expert soft tissue grafting in Richland, WA!

The Proof Is in our Patients

Before After