At Delaware Smile Center, we can treat your periodontal disease and stop gum recession in its tracks. Your periodontal care plan may include antimicrobial mouthwash, oral antibiotic medication, or scaling and root planing. While these measures will treat the underlying infection and prevent additional recession, they cannot restore the gum tissue to its original placement.

Fortunately, modern dental technology has a solution to this problem in the form of gingival grafts. Also known as a “tunnel graft,” this technique can repair the damage caused by gum disease and repair your gum tissue, making it healthy once again. Both our dentists at Delaware Smile Center are experienced in this innovative new procedure, and like our other procedures, it can be performed right here in our Delaware dental office.

What Is a Gingival Graft?

Like other skin grafting techniques, a gingival graft removes tissue from one area of the body and uses it to replace other tissue that is damaged or missing.

The exact procedure used in your gingival graft may vary depending on how much your gums have receded. We can either use your own tissue for your graft, or you may receive donor tissue from a special tissue bank. Because every person’s situation is unique, Dr. Usmani will discuss the procedure with you beforehand to determine not only whether a gingival graft is appropriate for you but also which approach will best meet your own individual needs.

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Planning for Your Gingival Graft Procedure

Once your gingival graft procedure is scheduled, you will want to begin making arrangements for before and after the procedure. Plan to have a friend or family member drive you to and from your appointment. You may wish to make arrangements to take some time off from work while you are recovering. Dr. Usmani will give you instructions for aftercare and recovery, and it’s important to follow these instructions carefully to make sure you get the best possible results from this procedure. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns about your procedure, please call our office.

For the next few days, plan to eat soft, cold foods such as yogurt, pudding, smoothies and protein drinks, cottage cheese, soft-cooked vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and applesauce. If needed, we can provide you with prescriptions for pain medication to make sure you are comfortable while your mouth heals.

Your mouth has a remarkable ability to quickly heal itself. Most people are able to return to their normal level of activity the day after the procedure, and it usually takes only a week or two for your mouth to fully heal.

To learn more about gingival grafts and whether this procedure is right for you, please call Delaware Smile Center at (302) 231-3051  or contact us online today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Usmani.