Protect Your Teeth Before the Recession Gets Worse
Gum grafting treats receding gums that will not stop pulling back on their own. Once gum tissue pulls away from the tooth and exposes the root, the recession will continue without treatment, increasing sensitivity, raising the risk of root decay, and eventually threatening the tooth itself. Dr. Chris Cappetta, DDS, is among the elite 6% of dentists nationwide trained in both hard and soft tissue laser use and has been treating gum recession at Fountain of Youth Dental for over 35 years.
Patients from Cibolo and Garden Ridge come to Fountain of Youth Dental for gum recession treatment because Dr. Cappetta offers both laser soft tissue therapy for earlier-stage recession and surgical gum grafting for more advanced cases, all in one office. The practice sits on Medical Dr inside San Antonio’s South Texas Medical Center, where the standard of soft tissue care matches the clinical environment surrounding it. You will not be referred to a periodontist for routine gum grafting when Dr. Cappetta can handle it in-house.
What Causes Gum Recession and Why It Gets Worse Without Treatment
Gum recession is a gradual process and that is exactly what makes it dangerous. Most patients do not notice it is happening until a dentist points it out at a routine exam, or until sensitivity to cold drinks makes it undeniable. By the time it is visible, the recession has usually been progressing for months or years. The tissue that has pulled away does not grow back on its own, which is why early treatment matters more than most patients realize.
The most common causes Dr. Cappetta sees at Fountain of Youth Dental are periodontal disease, aggressive brushing with too much pressure or a hard-bristle brush, teeth grinding and clenching, naturally thin gum tissue from genetics, tobacco use, and orthodontic treatment that moves teeth beyond the existing tissue boundary. In his experience with restorative work, the most common finding in patients who come in for gum grafting is that the recession was visible at a previous dental appointment but was monitored rather than treated, and progressed to the point where surgical grafting became necessary. Patients who address recession at the early laser-treatable stage avoid surgery entirely in many cases.
Types of Gum Grafts Dr. Cappetta Places
When surgical grafting is the right call, the type of graft used depends on the amount of recession, the thickness of existing gum tissue, and how many teeth need treatment. Dr. Cappetta reviews the options at the consultation before recommending any specific approach.
The four graft types available at Fountain of Youth Dental are:
- Connective tissue graft: tissue taken from under a small flap in the roof of the mouth, most common type, best for covering exposed roots across one or more teeth
- Free gingival graft: tissue taken directly from the palate surface, used when the existing gum tissue is naturally thin and needs added thickness
- Pedicle graft: tissue taken from the gum adjacent to the affected tooth, only possible when sufficient nearby tissue exists, avoids a second surgical site
- Donor tissue graft: processed donor gum tissue used when palate harvesting is not appropriate for the patient’s specific situation
In Dr. Cappetta’s experience, the connective tissue graft is the most commonly recommended option at Fountain of Youth Dental because it provides reliable root coverage with a lower risk of palate discomfort than a free gingival graft. He chooses the technique based on what gives the individual patient the best outcome, not what is fastest or simplest.
