Receding Gums? You’ve Got Choices
Gum recession can make teeth look longer, increase sensitivity, and raise the risk of root decay. While traditional grafting remains a powerful solution, modern dentistry offers multiple approaches—including minimally invasive techniques—to restore coverage and protect your smile. At New Smiles in Sherwood, OR, we help you compare connective tissue grafts, pinhole techniques, and non-surgical strategies so you can choose confidently.
Why Gums Recede
Common causes include aggressive brushing, clenching or grinding, thin tissue biotype, gum disease, orthodontic shifts, and past trauma. Before choosing a treatment, we identify the root cause so your result lasts.
Connective Tissue Grafts (CTG): The Gold Standard
CTG involves borrowing a small piece of your own tissue—usually from the palate—and securing it over the recession area. The graft thickens and stabilizes the gumline, often providing excellent root coverage and a strong color match. Though it requires a donor site, today’s techniques keep discomfort minimal, and healing is typically smooth with good home care.
The Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST): Minimal Incisions, Big Impact
PST uses a tiny entry point to gently mobilize and reposition existing gum tissue over exposed roots. Collagen strips support the new position as tissues heal. There’s no sutured donor site, and recovery can be faster. PST isn’t ideal for every case; adequate native tissue and specific defect characteristics are needed for best results.
Allograft And Xenograft Options
For patients who prefer to avoid a second surgical site, we can use carefully processed donor graft materials. These grafts act as a scaffold for your own cells to integrate, and they can achieve excellent esthetic outcomes when paired with meticulous technique.
Conservative Alternatives When Surgery Isn’t Needed—Yet
- Desensitizing Treatments: Target nerve sensitivity on exposed roots.
- Bonded Composite Or Veneers: Cover and protect roots when surgical coverage isn’t indicated.
- Occlusal Guard: A night guard can reduce clenching forces that worsen recession.
- Home Care Coaching: Softer brush, gentle technique, and the right toothpaste make a big difference.
What To Expect From The Process
- Assessment & Photos: We document recession depth and tissue thickness.
- Periodontal Health First: If inflammation is present, we treat it prior to grafting.
- Procedure Day: Local anesthesia keeps you comfortable; IV sedation is available for anxious patients.
- Recovery Roadmap: Detailed instructions, soft foods, and brief activity restrictions protect your investment.
- Follow-Up Visits: We monitor healing, adjust brushing technique, and confirm long-term stability.
Esthetics: Seamless, Natural Results
Matching texture and color matters. We sculpt and contour carefully for a natural, scalloped gumline that frames your teeth beautifully. Expect gradual color blending over several weeks as circulation matures.
Longevity And Maintenance
Grafting success rates are high, but prevention is key. Use a soft-bristled brush, avoid tobacco, wear your night guard, and maintain professional cleanings—GBT Certified hygiene is particularly gentle on healing tissues.
FAQs
Will grafting fix black triangles?
Grafting supports coverage but may not close triangular spaces between teeth. Cosmetic bonding or orthodontics can help refine those areas.
Is pinhole permanent?
PST can be long lasting when risk factors are controlled; however, thin biotypes may need touch-ups over the years.
Does insurance help?
Benefits vary. We’ll provide a pre-treatment estimate so you know where you stand.
Protect Your Roots, Restore Your Confidence
Whether you choose CTG for maximum thickness, pinhole for minimal invasiveness, or conservative alternatives, we’ll guide you to a plan that fits your comfort and esthetic goals.
Concerned about recession? Contact New Smiles in Sherwood, OR at (503) 925-9595 to Schedule a Consultation and review your personalized grafting options.
