Your oral health is invaluable, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Not only does good oral health support the beautiful smile that we all strive for; it also protects the health of your entire body.
The condition of your gums impacts the health of your entire body. Gum disease can increase your risk of various medical complications and diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. So by taking good care of your gums, you can support your overall health and longevity.
At Dalton Dental, we use the pinhole gum graft technique as a solution to receding gums. This technique is minimally invasive, making it faster and less painful than traditional gum graft methods. If you’re experiencing gum pain, swelling, bleeding, or tooth sensitivity, consider visiting our office for help restoring the health of your gums.
What Is a Gum Graft, and When Is It Necessary?
A gum graft is a periodontal procedure in which healthy gum tissue is placed over a part of the teeth with little to no natural gum tissue. Gum grafts are commonly needed by patients with gingival recession, or receding gums, to preserve their oral health.
In cases of gingival recession, a gum graft may be needed to cover the exposed teeth roots and correct pockets between the teeth and the gums. Bacteria can build up in these pockets and eventually turn into plaque and tartar. Plaque and tartar can increase the likelihood of tooth decay, infections, and periodontitis, or advanced gum disease.
What Does the Gum Graft Procedure Entail?
As mentioned above, we use the pinhole gum graft technique here at Dalton Dental. This method uses advanced dental technology to simplify the gum graft procedure, making it minimally invasive — no sutures or scalpel required!
The pinhole gum graft technique starts with your dentist poking a hole in the receding gum tissue. A special tool is then placed inside of the pinhole to stretch the gum to the optimal position. To ensure that the gum tissue stays in place so that additional healthy gum tissue can develop, your dentist will place a small collagen strip into the pinhole.
This gum graft method is far faster and more comfortable than soft tissue grafting while providing natural-looking results that last a lifetime. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Dalton today to learn if this procedure could benefit your oral health.
Didn’t answer your questions? Need more information? Give our experts at Dalton Dental a call at (813) 872-8300, and we will be happy to help! You can also Schedule an appointment online.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Hilary Dalton, DMD, MS
Dr. Hilary Dalton owns Dalton Dental, a general and cosmetic dental practice in Tampa, FL. She is board-certified in Periodontology & Dental Implant Surgery and in Procedural Medicine in Aesthetics.
She also holds certifications in microsurgery, laser proficiency, Invisalign, master esthetic facial injector, PRP, and facial laser.
She graduated from Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine in Boston with an award for Outstanding Leadership and Extraordinary Clinical Achievement.
To learn more about Dr. Hilary Dalton, visit our About page.