Dental & Gum Surgery

We treat the problem by rebuilding your gum line with soft tissue augmentation, also known as gum graft surgery or gingival grafting. Gum recession can cause several dental health issues, from sensitivity to heat and cold, to the loosening and eventual loss of our teeth. It can also detrimentally affect the appearance of our smile.

• Strengthen and stabilise the gums securing our teeth
• Protect a tooth against (further) gum recession
• Decrease tooth sensitivity
• Improve the appearance of our smile or implant

With minor recession, some healthy tissue remains to protect the tooth and so by focusing on improving your home maintenance routine, we can stop things getting any worse. However, with advanced recession, treatment is vital for reducing further exposure of the root surface, decay of the root itself and tooth loss.

A gingival or soft tissue graft is designed to resolve these problems. A thin piece of tissue is taken from donor tissue, soft tissue from the roof of your mouth, or from nearby healthy gum tissue, to provide a stable band of attached gingiva around the tooth. The gingival graft may be placed in such a way as to cover the exposed portion of the root. In a matter of weeks, your gums will look better, appear more uniform, and should feel tighter and firmer too.

• Local anaesthesia is administered. Sedation options are available to ensure your complete comfort
• The tissue graft is carefully taken from your mouth and stitches are applied. If necessary or requested, we can also use donor tissue
• The tissue is grafted onto the site
• The procedure usually takes around 2 hours
• We’ll provide follow-up care instructions to promote maximum healing

The gingival or soft tissue graft procedure is highly predictable and results in a stable, healthy band of attached tissue around the tooth. We are able to give you back what nature took away!

Gum disease is notorious for causing big problems for our dental health. The disease destroys gum tissue and eats away at the bone supporting our teeth. Left untreated, we may experience loose and damaged teeth or a failing implant. We may also lose the tooth or teeth completely.

We may recommend guided tissue regeneration as part of your treatment if:

• Disease has spread deep into your gums and is affecting your jawbone
• You’re at risk of losing a tooth or have already lost one
• You need a dental implant placement and there is insufficient bone to support it
• You have gum disease at the site of a dental implant

During the procedure, your periodontist folds back the gum tissue and removes the disease-causing bacteria. Membranes (filters), bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins can be used to encourage your body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.

Eliminating existing bacteria, and regenerating bone and tissue, helps to reduce pocket depth and repair damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease. With a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care, you’ll increase the chances of keeping your natural teeth – and decrease the chances of other health problems associated with periodontal disease.

We understand that reading this may cause anxiety but put your trust in us. We are experts in our field, and we do this on a daily basis. We will guide you through the process step by step. You’re in safe, capable hands.

Over time these pockets become deeper, providing a warm, wet haven for bacteria to thrive. As the bacteria develop around the teeth they can accumulate and advance under the gum tissue. These deep pockets collect even more bacteria, resulting in further bone and tissue loss. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, our teeth will start to move or ‘float’ and will need to be extracted.