Soft Tissue Grafting in Stafford, VA: Gum Graft Treatment for Receding Gums

Gums that pull back from the teeth leave the roots uncovered, and roots do not have the hard enamel that protects the rest of the tooth. Soft tissue grafting in Stafford, VA, commonly called gum grafting, adds tissue where the gum has receded. It is a treatment for adults and older teens whose recession is causing sensitivity, is getting worse over time, or is putting a tooth at risk.

Rai Family Dentistry offers gum grafting in our own office, so you can have it done by the dental team you already know. Dr. Shivaprasanna Rai and Dr. Paulina Oldland first look for what caused the recession. Brushing too hard, gum disease, teeth grinding, tooth position, and naturally thin gum tissue are all common factors. We measure the gum levels around each tooth and use digital X-rays to check the bone underneath. Addressing the cause matters as much as the graft, because it helps keep the recession from returning.

Signs that you may benefit from a gum graft:

• Teeth that look longer than they used to
• Sensitivity to cold, heat, or sweets near the gumline
• A notch or groove you can feel where the tooth meets the gum
• Visible yellow or darker root surface on one or more teeth
• Recession that your dentist has measured as increasing between visits

Before the procedure, your dentist explains the type of graft recommended. Tissue is often taken from the roof of your mouth, though in some cases a processed donor material can be used instead. Both areas are numbed with local anesthetic. The graft is positioned over the exposed root and secured to the surrounding gum with fine stitches, and the donor site, if there is one, is covered so it can heal comfortably. The appointment is typically completed in a single visit. You return in a week or two so we can check the site, and the tissue continues to settle and mature over the next several weeks.

For the first couple of weeks, follow these aftercare steps:

• Do not brush or floss the grafted area until your dentist says it is safe
• Use any prescribed mouth rinse as directed to keep the site clean
• Eat soft, cool foods such as yogurt, eggs, and pasta
• Avoid pulling your lip back to look at the graft
• Stay away from tobacco while the tissue heals

Many dental plans provide some benefit for gum grafting when it is needed for the health of the tooth, but the details differ. We work with most PPO dental insurance plans and take care of filing your claim. You will have a written estimate in hand before your procedure. If you prefer to pay over time, we offer CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and Cherry payment plans.

Serving Stafford County since 1999, Rai Family Dentistry sees patients from Stafford, Aquia Harbour, Garrisonville, Falmouth, and Fredericksburg. Our address is 239 Garrisonville Rd, Suite 102, just off I-95 on Route 610, and parking is free. Call (540) 657-0867 or schedule online to have your gums evaluated.