People claim not to enjoy smiling for a wide variety of reasons. Some feel like their teeth are noticeably discolored. Others feel like they have too many gaps or too much crowding. But plenty have concerns related to receding gums. Fortunately, gum recession can be an easy cosmetic dentistry fix when you work with your dentist in New York, NY to undergo minimally invasive, virtually discomfort-free gum grafting.
What Causes Gums to Recede?
Gums can seem to “pull back” from the teeth for a number of reasons. Untreated, unmanaged gum disease can be a culprit. So can aggressive brushing. And plenty of folks are just hereditarily predisposed toward experiencing gum recession. Even tooth crowding and gapping can encourage gums to start to creep downward, no longer protecting the surrounding teeth.
Your dentist can help you determine the root cause of your receding gums, as well as work to address underlying medical issues like gingivitis before proceeding with gum grafting. That way, you can be sure that you can get the full benefit of a gum graft without worrying that your gums will recede again.
How Does Minimally Invasive Gum Grafting Work?
Dentists have performed traditional gum grafts for generations. Traditional gum grafting involves removing excessive soft tissues from one place and suturing them to the site of the receding gums. This process is still used and works, but some patients find it a challenge to wait for results. Additionally, it can take a few weeks for all the surgical sites to fully heal.
A more advanced, modern way to fix receding gums is with the minimally invasive Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique®, or PST. During this procedure, your dentist will make a small hole in your gums where you are having recession difficulties. Using specialized equipment, the dentist will carefully create a flap of extra gums from the existing gums and gently maneuver the gums into a full-coverage position.
Because PST requires no cutting or suturing, and only affects the spot where you have gum recession, your outcomes are visible immediately and your downtime is greatly minimized. Many patients go right back to school or work after undergoing PST because it is so rapid and effective.
Get a Holiday-Ready Smile with Fast Gum Grafting
It may not be too late to revitalize your smile for this year’s round of holiday gatherings. Call Dr. Alexander Volchonok in our office in New York, NY at (347) 706-1558 to schedule an appointment to talk about your gum recession concerns and PST.