Gum loss, also known as gum recession, occurs when the gum tissue pulls away from the tooth or implant, exposing the root surface or implant components. This can lead to sensitivity, esthetic concerns, inflammation, difficulty cleaning, higher risk of root decay, and long-term instability around teeth or implants.
At New York Periodontics, gum loss is evaluated with precision to understand not only how much tissue has been lost, but why it happened. Treatment may involve root coverage, tissue thickening, periodontal regeneration, biologic scaffold materials, or soft tissue reinforcement, depending on the patient’s anatomy, gum thickness, recession pattern, implant or tooth condition, and long-term health needs.
A connective tissue graft is one of the most commonly used procedures for treating gum recession, covering exposed roots, and thickening thin gum tissue. It typically uses a small amount of connective tissue from the patient’s palate, which is placed beneath the gum tissue in the area of recession.
The graft is carefully positioned under the existing gum tissue to increase thickness, support root coverage, and improve the quality of the surrounding soft tissue. The procedure requires precise flap design, delicate tissue handling, accurate graft placement, and stable closure to support predictable healing.
Connective tissue grafts can help reduce sensitivity, improve esthetics, thicken fragile gum tissue, protect exposed roots, and reduce the risk of further recession when properly planned and maintained.
Guided Tissue Regeneration, commonly known as GTR, is a periodontal regenerative procedure used to help rebuild the supporting structures around a natural tooth when bone and attachment have been lost due to periodontal disease, infection, trauma, or localized defects.
GTR uses carefully selected regenerative materials, such as bone grafting materials, barrier membranes, and biologic healing adjuncts, to create space and conditions for deeper periodontal tissues to regenerate. The goal is not only to clean infection, but to encourage regeneration of the bone, periodontal ligament, cementum, and soft tissue support around the tooth.
Guided Tissue Regeneration may help preserve selected natural teeth with localized periodontal defects, reduce deep pockets, regenerate lost support, improve tooth stability, and support a better long-term prognosis when the defect anatomy and healing conditions are favorable.
A dermal graft uses processed donor soft tissue rather than tissue taken from the patient’s own palate. This option may be recommended when several areas of recession need treatment or when avoiding a second surgical site is preferred.
The donor soft tissue material is carefully adapted to the areas of recession or tissue deficiency. It is placed to increase soft tissue thickness, support root coverage, and improve tissue quality while reducing the need for palatal tissue harvesting.
Dermal grafts can be especially useful in selected cases involving multiple teeth or broader areas of soft tissue deficiency. They may improve comfort, reduce the need for a second surgical site, support root coverage, and enhance esthetic and functional outcomes.
A 3D collagen scaffold graft is an advanced soft tissue substitute designed to support the body’s own tissue ingrowth and healing. These scaffold materials may be used in selected cases to increase soft tissue volume, improve tissue thickness, and support periodontal plastic surgery procedures.
The collagen scaffold acts as a biologic framework that supports soft tissue healing, blood vessel formation, graft integration, and tissue maturation. At New York Periodontics, these materials may be combined with minimally invasive techniques, biologic adjuncts, and careful post-operative protocols when appropriate for the patient’s anatomy and treatment goals.
3D collagen scaffold grafts may help support more comfortable treatment in selected cases, reduce the need for donor tissue, improve soft tissue volume, and create a favorable environment for regenerative healing and tissue maturation.
A free gingival graft is a soft tissue procedure typically used to increase the amount of attached or keratinized gum tissue. It may be recommended when the gum tissue is very thin, the gumline is unstable, or muscle attachments are contributing to recession.
A small piece of tissue is usually taken from the palate and placed in the area where stronger, more resistant gum tissue is needed. Unlike procedures focused primarily on root coverage, a free gingival graft is often selected to improve tissue strength, stability, and long-term protection.
Free gingival grafts can help stabilize the gumline, improve hygiene access, protect teeth or implants from further recession, and increase the quality and amount of attached gum tissue in areas with minimal keratinized tissue.
At New York Periodontics, the treatment of gum loss is never one-size-fits-all. The ideal approach depends on the patient’s gum thickness, recession pattern, root coverage potential, implant or tooth condition, esthetic goals, and long-term periodontal needs.
With precise diagnosis, advanced materials, and delicate surgical planning, treatment can help protect teeth and implants, improve comfort, restore tissue quality, and support long-term oral health.
