Restore Your Gumline and Protect Your Smile with Gingival Grafting in Langley, BC
Healthy gums provide the foundation for a strong, confident smile. When gum recession exposes tooth roots or causes sensitivity, it can affect both your oral health and how you feel about your smile. Gingival grafting is a proven periodontal procedure designed to rebuild gum tissue, protect vulnerable areas, and create a healthier gumline.
At Langley Perio & Implants, Dr. Joanie Faucher and Dr. Aleem Manji provide advanced gum grafting care focused on restoring comfort, function, and long-term periodontal health.
Take the next step toward healthier gums and a more confident smile. Call our Langley periodontists at (604) 227-1869 today to schedule your consultation. We also welcome patients from Langley, Surrey, Aldergrove, and Abbotsford.
See Before and After Gingival Grafting
Why Choose Langley Perio & Implants for Gingival Grafting?
Choosing a periodontal practice for gum grafting means selecting a team that understands the importance of healthy gums and a stable smile.
At Langley Perio & Implants, patients benefit from:
- Care from Certified Specialists in Periodontics
- Advanced periodontal technology
- Comprehensive treatment planning
- A welcoming, patient-focused environment
- A commitment to education and communication
Dr. Faucher and Dr. Manji believe that informed patients feel more confident about their care. They take time to explain procedures, answer questions, and help patients understand their options.
What is Gingival Grafting?
Gingival grafting, commonly known as gum grafting, is a periodontal procedure designed to restore gum tissue that has been lost due to gum recession. When gums pull away from the teeth, the tooth roots can become exposed, leading to increased sensitivity, a higher risk of root damage, and changes in the appearance of your smile.
Benefits of Gingival Grafting
Restoring lost gum tissue offers key protective and cosmetic advantages:
- Eases Root Sensitivity: Exposed roots contain thousands of tiny nerve pathways (dentin tubules). Covering these roots with dense graft tissue stops temperature flashes from cold drinks or hot food.
- Helps Protect Exposed Root Surfaces: Gingival grafting adds protective tissue over vulnerable areas, helping reduce sensitivity and protect against further root surface damage.
- Restores Aesthetic Balance: Gum grafts smooth out uneven gumlines and fix the “long-in-the-tooth” look, giving your smile a balanced appearance.
- Strengthens Tissue for Dental Implants: If you are preparing for crowns or implants, grafting creates a thick cushion of attached tissue necessary for long-term implant stability.
Signs You May Need a Gingival Graft
Gum recession develops slowly, making it easy to miss early warning signs. You may need an evaluation at our Langley office if you notice:
- Sharp Sensitivity: Pain when brushing or enjoying hot, cold, or sweet treats.
- Teeth Looking Longer: Visible yellowing or narrow notches near your gumline where the soft root surface is exposed.
- Bleeding and Redness: Swollen, tender tissue that bleeds easily during normal brushing.
- A “Notch” at the Gumline: Feeling a distinct step or groove with your fingernail near the base of your tooth.
- Loose Teeth: In advanced cases, recession reduces structural support, causing subtle movement when chewing.
If you recognize these symptoms, Dr. Manji or Dr. Faucher can evaluate your gum thickness during a brief examination. Call (604) 227-1869 to schedule your consultation.
What to Expect at Your Gingival Grafting Appointment
Knowing what happens during your appointment helps alleviate anxiety. We prioritize clear communication and gentle care at every stage:
1. Preparation & Local Numbing
Before beginning, we thoroughly numb the area with local anesthesia. You remain conscious and comfortable, feeling gentle pressure without pain. Sedation dentistry options are also available for patients from Surrey, Abbotsford, and White Rock who prefer deeper relaxation.
2. Tissue Placement
Dr. Faucher or Dr. Manji prepares the receded site. Donor tissue is placed over the bare root or thin area and fixed into position using ultra-fine microsurgical sutures.
3. Post-Operative Protection
The entire appointment usually takes 60 to 90 minutes. Before you leave, we apply a soothing dressing or protective guard over the palatal area (if tissue was taken from your roof of mouth) to keep you comfortable on your drive home.
Aftercare and Maintenance Guidelines for Gingival Grafting
Proper aftercare is important for supporting healthy healing after a gingival graft. Following your instructions from Dr. Faucher and Dr. Manji can help protect the treated area and encourage successful tissue healing.
Helpful recovery guidelines include:
- Eat Soft Foods: Choose foods that require minimal chewing and avoid putting pressure on the treated area.
- Avoid Brushing Directly Over the Graft Site Initially: Gentle cleaning methods help protect newly placed tissue.
- Follow Prescribed Medication Instructions: Take any recommended medications as directed to support comfort during recovery.
- Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Products: Tobacco can interfere with healing and affect gum health.
- Avoid Hard, Crunchy, or Sticky Foods: Foods that place pressure on the graft may disrupt healing.
- Attend Follow-up Appointments: Regular visits allow your periodontal team to monitor progress and provide guidance.
Once healing is complete, maintaining excellent oral hygiene and attending routine dental visits can help protect your gum health for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
During the procedure, local anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area and help ensure a comfortable procedure. Afterward, mild discomfort or tightness is normal for a few days, particularly if tissue was taken from your palate. Dr. Faucher and Dr. Manji prescribe effective pain management protocols to keep you comfortable throughout your recovery.
Initial surface tissue healing usually takes 10 to 14 days, which is when non-dissolvable sutures are typically removed. Complete healing and tissue maturation may take several weeks to a few months, depending on the individual case. Most patients return to light daily activities the day after surgery.
Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for gingival grafting when performed for functional necessity, such as stopping active recession or preventing tooth loss. Our administrative team works directly with your provider to clarify benefits and maximize your eligible coverage.
Once a graft successfully integrates, the new tissue is thick, resilient, and stable. However, maintaining your results requires addressing the root cause of your initial recession—such as adopting a soft-bristled toothbrush, adjusting your brushing technique, or wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
Restore Your Gum Health With Our Langley Periodontal Team
Your smile is a part of how you connect with the world, and healthy gums are the foundation behind that confidence. If gum recession has caused sensitivity, discomfort, or concerns about your smile, gingival grafting may help you protect your teeth and restore a healthier gumline.
At Langley Perio & Implants, Dr. Faucher and Dr. Manji are dedicated to helping patients regain comfort and confidence through advanced periodontal care. Call our Langley periodontal office at (604) 227-1869 today to schedule your consultation and discover how gingival grafting can help support the future of your smile. Maybe include local towns here.