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Gum Grafting Kelowna

 

Bone Grafting Kelowna

What Is Bone Grafting?

When a tooth is lost due to trauma or extraction, the surrounding bone is no longer needed, and your body will start resorbing and remodelling it. Unfortunately, this bone loss can make future implant placement difficult. To prevent this, we can perform a procedure called "socket preservation" at the time of the tooth removal.

How Does It Work?

A bone grafting technique known as allograft is used to fill the socket left by the extracted tooth. This graft acts as a scaffold, helping your body regenerate bone and minimizing the amount lost after extraction. If you’re considering a future implant placement, we highly recommend this procedure to keep the bone healthy.

Dr. Sanders will explain everything to you during your visit. If a tissue graft or bone grafting is needed, we'll ensure you’re fully informed about the process and its benefits.

 
Bone & Gum Grafting

Gum Grafting

When gum recession happens due to aggressive brushing, aging, or gum disease, a gum grafting procedure can help restore gum health and cover the exposed roots. Depending on your situation, we offer two types of grafting techniques:

Connective-Tissue Grafts

This is the most common method for treating root surface exposure. A small flap of skin is cut from the roof of the mouth, and gum tissue from underneath is stitched to the area with exposed roots. Alternatively, we can use Alloderm, a tissue bank product, to avoid harvesting from your palate.

Free Gingival Grafts

Similar to connective-tissue grafts, but here, we remove a small piece of tissue directly from the roof of the mouth and attach it to the area needing more gum coverage. This method works well for patients with thinner gums needing additional support.

Both methods protect the tooth from further damage and improve your gum health. So, if you’ve noticed your gums receding, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered (literally).

Platelet-Rich Fibrin Therapy

Here at Knox Mountain Dentistry, we also offer Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) therapy, an advanced technique for improving wound healing. By using your own blood, we can speed up healing for procedures like gum grafting and socket preservation. The results are faster recovery and less discomfort. We’ll make sure you’re completely comfortable with this innovative treatment. Yes, it requires a few vials of blood, but trust us, it’s worth it for quicker healing!

Sinus Lift Grafting

A sinus lift may be necessary for those looking at implant placement in the upper jaw. If the bone in the upper jaw has thinned out due to long-term tooth loss, this procedure moves the sinus membrane up and adds bone underneath, creating the support needed for your implant. And the best part? We often perform this procedure during your implant surgery, saving you an extra trip to the office.

FAQs About Bone & Gum Grafting

1How does gum grafting differ from bone grafting?
Gum grafting is focused on repairing receded gum tissue, while bone grafting rebuilds the jawbone itself. A gum graft covers exposed tooth roots and strengthens thin or pulled-back gums, which protects against sensitivity and decay. Bone grafting reinforces the bone that supports your teeth and is often a step before dental implant placement to ensure a stable foundation.
2Who might need a bone or gum graft?
People who have lost bone or gum tissue due to gum disease, trauma, or long-term tooth loss often need grafts. Bone can shrink after a tooth is gone, and gum tissue can wear away over time, exposing roots and making chewing uncomfortable. A dental professional evaluates your mouth with X-rays and a clinical exam to see if you would benefit from either grafting procedure.
3Can bone grafts help if I want dental implants later?
Yes, bone grafts are often done to prepare the jaw for dental implants. Implants need strong, dense bone to fuse securely and provide long-lasting support for a replacement tooth. If your jawbone has weakened, a graft boosts the bone volume so implants have the right foundation to heal properly and function like natural teeth.
4Is the bone or gum grafting procedure painful?
The grafting procedure itself is usually done under local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel pain during the surgery. After the procedure, it’s normal to feel some tenderness or mild swelling for a few days, but this can be managed with ice packs and prescribed or over-the-counter medication as directed. Most patients report that the discomfort is mild and resolves quickly as the area starts healing.

If you’re dealing with receding gums, concerned about bone loss, or planning for future implant placement, our team at Knox Mountain Dentistry is here to help. Please call our office today if you have questions or you're ready to book a consultation.

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