bonding vs gum grafting

Inflamed, receiving, or infected gums impact around 50% of Americans, meaning plenty of
dental patients must deal with the associated pain and self-consciousness of poor gum health. Fortunately, two treatment options exist to treat gum issues that can lead to exposed roots, sensitivity, bone loss, bleeding, and infections. These are serious issues that deserve the proper time and attention. Patients can choose gum grafting or composite bonding, often just called bonding, depending on their needs.

What Is Gum Grafting?

As the name suggests, gum grafting involves grafting tissue onto the impacted area, similar to how grafting is used for infections or burns. The source is typically the patient’s mouth, either from the palate or adjacent to the preceding gums. However, the specific method can vary from stretching tissue from a pinhole incision over the infected area to cutting a flap around the area and covering it with a membrane or suturing the material to the site.

Once the exposed area has been covered, patients may experience less sensitivity and find their receding gums less noticeable. This procedure can potentially last a lifetime with proper care, including eating only soft food for several weeks after the procedure. Gum grafting doesn’t require any drilling, either.

However, depending on the procedure, grafting poses several downsides. For example, in free grafting, patients have two surgery sites because tissue was moved from one part of the mouth to another. Even other types of grafting create a surgical site. Because grafting is more successful with some patients, the dentist at Toothbar in Austin carefully chooses who they recommend this option to.

What Is Bonding?

Composite bonding, on the other hand, isn’t a surgical procedure. Instead, it’s a cosmetic procedure that can usually be done in a single appointment. Bonding involves securing composite resin, sometimes used in fillings, to the impacted site. When done correctly, composite bonding can protect exposed roots to reduce sensitivity without being painful or having to heal like gum grafting.

This procedure is relatively affordable, which also makes it appealing to patients. However, bonding has potential issues. If done improperly, it can contribute to gum recession and disease and create crevices where plaque can collect. Composite bonding isn’t permanent, either. It often needs to be replaced every five to ten years.

No matter which option a patient chooses, they must have a dentist treat exposed roots and receding gums because they won’t improve on their own, further damaging teeth. This means sensitivity can increase over time. Patients can also develop infections and experience gum bleeding. For some patients in Austin dental implants are the only option because of advanced gum disease and tooth decay, and Toothbar can help.

Contact A Dentist Today

If you’re already wondering, “Is there a dentist near me?” then it’s time to reach out for help. If you want to learn more and are near downtown Austin, use our online contact form or call 512-949-8202 to learn about your options.