Gum Grafting | Charlotte, NC

Dr. Matthew Ficca performs gum grafting procedures for Charlotte patients to regenerate lost gum tissue, cover exposed tooth roots, help enhance your smile, and maintain the health of your mouth preventing bone and tooth loss. The approach he uses is significantly less invasive than older gum grafting techniques, which means you should have a faster and more comfortable recovery and a more aesthetic result.

Dr. Ficca is a board-certified periodontist, an expert in gum grafting, and an oral health professional who has spent 20 years in practice. Just as important as his experience is your experience. As his patient, Dr. Ficca will prioritize your comfort and safety at every stage in the process, and he’ll take the time to explain the treatment, discuss your options, and ensure your confidence in his care.

What Are the Benefits of Gum Grafting?

Your gum tissue protects the supporting structure of your teeth. As the result of several factors — such as gum disease, improper brushing technique, and genetics — you may notice this tissue recede, exposing the roots of your teeth. Gum recession can also give your teeth an unnaturally long appearance.

The benefits of a gum grafting procedure are that it can:

Improve your comfort

When the root of your tooth is exposed, you’re more likely to experience tenderness and sensitivity when eating or drinking. Gum grafting can help Charlotte patients resolve these problems.

Protect against bone and tooth loss

Cavities and infection can develop on the surface of an exposed tooth root. This can destroy the tooth-supporting structures, eventually causing you to lose the tooth. Gum grafting prevents further damage by re-covering the root.

Give you a more aesthetic smile

When the thin and sensitive gum tissue recedes, it can make your tooth appear unnaturally long. Dr. Ficca uses gum grafting to cover exposed areas and recreate the natural gum line, enhancing your smile.

Support orthodontics

Your gum tissue may be too thin to protect your teeth during orthodontic tooth movement. Gum grafting builds up stronger gum in certain areas of your mouth before adjusting the position of your teeth. Dr. Ficca can coordinate with your orthodontist to achieve this goal.

Am I a Candidate for Gum Grafting?

You may be a candidate for gum grafting if your gums have receded (revealing the roots of your teeth), if you are experiencing sensitivity or pain in these areas, or if you want to enhance your smile. Your general dentist or orthodontist may also refer you to Dr. Ficca for treatment.

Several factors can lead to gum recession, including gum disease, overly aggressive tooth brushing, and genetics. During your initial visit with Dr. Ficca, he’ll talk with you about your symptoms, if any, and concerns and discuss these factors. He’ll also perform a comprehensive examination to evaluate your needs.

If you require a gum grafting procedure, Dr. Ficca will explain what you can expect with treatment. He can use either your own tissue or donor material to re-cover the area of recession. Having extensive experience in gum grafting, Dr. Ficca will talk to you about the advantages of each option specific to your treatment needs. If you opt to use your own tissue, it can come from one of several areas of your mouth, using a minimally invasive approach to minimize discomfort and speed healing.

Some Charlotte patients will need treatment for gum disease as well as gum grafting to address the cause of their gum recession. In other cases, patients can simply modify the behaviors that contribute to recession, such as using a soft-bristle tooth brush instead of a more abrasive brush. Dr. Ficca will discuss ways to reduce recession with you when developing your treatment plan.

What Is It Like Recovering from Gum Grafting?

You’ll have your gum grafting procedure in Dr. Ficca’s office with either local anesthesia or local with IV sedation. Both approaches will keep you comfortable throughout the process. The second option helps eliminate anxiety and fear through the entire procedure. Dr. Ficca can treat anywhere from a single tooth to the entire mouth at one time.

Using a minimally invasive technique, Dr. Ficca will place the graft beneath the outer layer of the gums and reshape the gum line. This will keep the surgical site small, help you heal more quickly, and give you a more natural-looking and attractive outcome.

The recovery from gum grafting is about 2-3 days. Dr. Ficca recommends taking Ibuprofen and TYLENOL® over that time to reduce discomfort. Some slight swelling is also common. You’ll stick to soft foods for a few days and avoid brushing the site for up to two weeks. Dr. Ficca uses dissolvable sutures, which don’t require in-office removal. We’ll see you back at the practice after two weeks for a check-up and to answer any questions you have.

What Is the Cost of Gum Grafting in Charlotte?

The price of gum grafting depends on the number of areas that require treatment and the complexity of your procedure. Costs range from $1,000 for one tooth to $5,000 for a more extensive surgery. In general, the sooner that Dr. Ficca can treat gum recession, the simpler the procedure is and the easier the patient’s recovery.

Whether your general dentist has referred you to our practice, you’re experiencing symptoms of gum recession, or you are unhappy with the way your gums look, we encourage you to make an appointment. During your visit, we’ll take the time to go through your treatment options and discuss costs and options. Dr. Ficca and his team will help develop a plan to give you back a healthy and aesthetic smile.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ficca to learn more about gum grafting. Contact us online or call our office in Charlotte at (704) 544-2224.