Do you need periodontal treatment? Dentist of Cerritos can treat all stages of periodontal disease, from gingivitis to the most advanced periodontitis. If you’re ready to restore your oral health, make an appointment for a consultation in our Cerritos office.
One of the most common surgical procedures used to treat periodontal disease is soft tissue grafting. Here are some of the most common questions we get about this procedure.
This is a common procedure in which the doctor takes some tissue from another location, often the roof of your mouth, and grafts it around the affected tooth to replace the natural gum tissue that has been destroyed by the disease. This procedure helps prevent tooth loss and treats the infection.
The tissue for the graft can come from the roof of your mouth (a free gingival graft), the tissue under the palate at the top of your mouth (a connective-tissue graft), or the gum near the affected tooth itself (a pedicle graft). Sometimes tissue is obtained from a tissue bank instead of a donation site in your mouth.
The doctor will determine which type of tissue is best for your soft tissue graft based on the tooth or teeth to be treated, the stage of the disease, and factors specific to your mouth.
If your doctor recommends soft tissue grafting, it is because your gums have receded due to gum disease so much that the root of your tooth is exposed. This is not just a cosmetic issue, as it destabilizes the tooth and can make it prone to further damage from your periodontal disease.
Soft tissue grafting is one of the most common and safest surgical periodontal treatments in use today. Pocket reduction surgery might also be an option, depending on your situation, but the doctor will recommend the best procedure to treat your case.
If you have gum recession severe enough for your doctor to recommend soft tissue grating, nonsurgical treatments will not be enough to treat your periodontal disease and restore your oral health. The doctor might recommend nonsurgical treatments in addition to the soft tissue graft, however.
Recovery is normally quick after a soft tissue graft. If you are sedated, you’ll need someone to drive you home from the clinic. You’ll need to eat soft foods and avoid strenuous exercise for a few days after the procedure.
You might experience some discomfort for the first 24-48 hours after your procedure. If so, over-the-counter pain relievers should be enough to relieve the discomfort.
During your procedure, your tissue will be numb to ensure optimal comfort. Your Cerritos dentist may even prescribe a sedative if you’re feeling some anxiety about having this procedure. If you’ve taken a sedative, you’ll need to have someone drive you home.
If your soft tissue graft involves taking tissue from your palate, you’ll likely experience some discomfort for a few days after your procedure. Many patients describe it as feeling like a bad pizza burn.
Thankfully, your soft tissues heal quickly, so any discomfort you feel should go away within a few days. An anti-inflammatory, over-the-counter medication (if you’re medically approved to take them) can help, as can a prescription pain medication from your Cerritos dentist.
A soft tissue graft can cost between $600-$1200 per tooth. Many insurance companies will pay a portion of the cost of this procedure. The amount they’ll pay depends on your plan and your annual maximum. Talk to our team about payment options, whether you’re paying 100% out of pocket or paying a portion with dental insurance.
If you choose to forgo soft tissue grafting, the root of your tooth will continue to be exposed to damage and your periodontal disease could continue to worsen over time, leading to more soft tissue damage, eventual bone loss, and possible loss of the infected tooth or teeth.
The cost depends on which tooth or teeth need to be treated, how complex the procedure will be, and how much your insurance will cover. When you have a consultation in our Cerritos office, the staff will take the treatment plan your doctor develops, contact your insurance, and then discuss your out-of-pocket cost with you.
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