West Los Angeles Gum Graft
Gum Graft...
There are several methods for treating receding gums. The severity of the case at the time of treatment plays a major role in the methods used.
We currently provide a relatively new approach to covering the roots of teeth where recession has occurred. This newer technique is called Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST).
This PST technique has less pain and trauma involved, usually we don’t even need sutures, post-operative pain is greatly reduced, the cosmetic result and stability of the re-positioned tissue is more reliable, and the healing time is faster with less pain!
We currently provide a relatively new approach to covering the roots of teeth where recession has occurred. This newer technique is called Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST).
This PST technique has less pain and trauma involved, usually we don’t even need sutures, post-operative pain is greatly reduced, the cosmetic result and stability of the re-positioned tissue is more reliable, and the healing time is faster with less pain!
Gum Surgery...
Simply put, we loosen the attachment of the gums with special instruments which access the gum attachment through small pinholes. We don’t separate the part of the gum that fills the space between the teeth; but we loosen the papilla between the teeth in such a manner that allows us to slide the entire gum tissue down over the exposed root of the tooth where recession has occurred.
Reverse Gum Recession...
We don’t need large incisions and we don’t need to remove tissue from the palate since we slide collagen fibers through the pinholes, and with special instruments, place the collagenous membrane between the gum and bone at the point where we want the tissue to re-attach to the root surface.
Special preparation treatments have already been performed on the exposed root surface which increase the likelihood that the gum tissue will stay in place and reattach at this more desirable position. The collagen fibers hold the tissue in its new position, and allow the gums to re-establish connection to the root surface. When the tissue is completely healed the resulting gum tissue is stronger and less prone to recede again.
Special preparation treatments have already been performed on the exposed root surface which increase the likelihood that the gum tissue will stay in place and reattach at this more desirable position. The collagen fibers hold the tissue in its new position, and allow the gums to re-establish connection to the root surface. When the tissue is completely healed the resulting gum tissue is stronger and less prone to recede again.
Gingival Graft...
Some years ago, Dr. Carlston performed a type of intervention which required the removal of a strip of gum tissue from the roof of the mouth of the patient. This technique is called the Free Connective Tissue Graft (FCTG). This worm like piece of tissue was then grafted to the gum tissue that was suffering recession in an attempt to add more tissue to the area and use a type of tissue that is more durable than the thin fragile tissue that often exists after the gum tissue has receded significantly.
To be sure, Dr. Carlston experienced some success with this technique; however the patient often suffered pain that was frankly beyond the benefit of the surgery since the gum tissue often receded back close to the pre-surgery location on the tooth. Much of the time the only benefit Dr. Carlston could see was the remaining grafted gum tissue was stronger, and less prone to continued recession; but the cosmetic effect Dr. Carlston and the patient desired simply did not materialize. This was a very frustrating time because the need to intervene in the loss of gum tissue attachment was very real; but the anticipated results were simply not obtained in many cases.
Our experience with the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) is that it is more predictable than the Free Connective Tissue Grant (FCTG) technique described above. We find the cosmetic result is better; and over time the gum tissue has less recurrent recession issues.
To be sure, Dr. Carlston experienced some success with this technique; however the patient often suffered pain that was frankly beyond the benefit of the surgery since the gum tissue often receded back close to the pre-surgery location on the tooth. Much of the time the only benefit Dr. Carlston could see was the remaining grafted gum tissue was stronger, and less prone to continued recession; but the cosmetic effect Dr. Carlston and the patient desired simply did not materialize. This was a very frustrating time because the need to intervene in the loss of gum tissue attachment was very real; but the anticipated results were simply not obtained in many cases.
Our experience with the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) is that it is more predictable than the Free Connective Tissue Grant (FCTG) technique described above. We find the cosmetic result is better; and over time the gum tissue has less recurrent recession issues.
Gum Graft Cost...
The cost of the older Free Connective Tissue Graft technique is the same as the newer Pinhole Surgical Technique, and therefore since there is not even a financial benefit for the patient we do not use this technique in our office. We exclusively use the Pinhole Surgical Technique.
