Root Coverage Grafting

Sometimes the supportive tissue around your tooth is too thin to support the root of your tooth correctly. When this occurs, your dentist or hygienist may tell you, you have “thin gum tissue” or “a lack of attached gum tissue.” Another word you may hear at your regular cleanings is “recession.” A recession occurs when the supportive tissue around your tooth moves down or away from the tooth, often exposing the root.

Recession can cause sensitivity to hot or cold liquids, an increase in cavities, and eventually may even lead to tooth loss because your tooth has lost the support it needs. The tooth becomes mobile, and bone loss occurs at the root level. Thin gum tissue and Recession are very common. In fact, these conditions account for at least one-third of the patients treated in our practice.

Many patients experience very few if any, symptoms of this type of periodontal disease. However, just because it doesn’t hurt doesn’t mean it isn’t a serious condition! If your dentist or hygienist is concerned about your gum tissue…you should be too. Dr. Moulton specializes in caring for patients who need root coverage grafting. In fact, it is one of his favorite types of treatment to offer to his patients. Depending upon the type and severity of your specific periodontal defect, various kinds of root coverage treatments are available.

Dr. Moulton enjoys sitting down with his patients during an oral examination to determine which type of grafting procedure will give each individual the most predictable, best esthetic, long-term outcome.