Gum graft surgery in Dayton, Ohio, can help repair receding gum tissue. It is an outpatient surgery that can be done in the office of your periodontist. Periodontal disease, too forceful brushing, genetics, and even drugs can all contribute to gum recession in dental patients. Due to receding gum tissue, the surface of the tooth root becomes exposed, causing sensitivity to hot and cold meals. Gum recession, if left untreated, can lead to root damage, bone deterioration, and tooth loss.
When compared to other restorative treatments that may be necessary if gum recession is not treated, a gum transplant is comparatively affordable. In this part, we’ll go over some of the costs associated with gum grafting surgery.
Gum Graft Procedure
A periodontist is likely to be the specialist who performs your gum transplant surgery. Before beginning, the doctor will apply a topical numbing agent to the area to be treated before delivering a local anesthetic. For this particular surgery, general anesthesia is not commonly used.
Your doctor will choose the sort of gum transplant that is best for you. A connective tissue transplant, a free gingival graft, or a pedicle graft could be used. Your doctor will make an incision in the afflicted area to create a pocket for the healthy tissue to be sewn into.
Cost of Gum Graft Surgery
A number of factors can influence the total cost of your gum surgery. A gum graft might cost anywhere from $600 to $1200 per tooth. Because a periodontist is a specialist, his or her cost is likely to be higher. Tissue obtained from the roof of your mouth is more expensive than tissue obtained from a donor. There’s also the possibility that you’ll need gum contouring as part of your gum transplant, which might push your total cost up to $3000 per tooth.
Additional Costs and Possible Discounts
If your general dentist is unable to perform gum graft surgery in his or her clinic, he or she will likely refer you to a trustworthy periodontist with whom they frequently collaborate. The periodontist will need to do a periodontal exam on you at your first visit before determining whether or not you need gum graft surgery and, if so, which type of gum graft to employ. Additional x-rays may be required to determine the health of your dental roots and bone structure during this examination. It is possible that this consultation and examination will cost up to $500.
Your dental insurance may cover some of the costs of your treatment, but you may also have medical insurance benefits that you can use if the procedure is deemed medically essential. Before your operation, look into your insurance benefits, both medical and dental, so you’ll know what to expect. You could potentially get your surgery done at a dentistry school or as part of a continuing education program. All treatments are monitored step by step by skilled dental experts at both a dental school and a continuing education program.
Finding the Right Provider for You
Because a periodontist is most likely the practitioner you’ll need for gum graft surgery, your dentist should be able to recommend some doctors they know and trust. If you have dental insurance, you can use the “find a provider” option on your insurance company’s website to find a dentist in your area. You can also check out the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Dental Association’s websites.
Is gum grafting covered under insurance?
The average cost of a gum graft in Frisco, TX is between $600-$1700. The cost of a gum graft, like any other surgery, is determined by a variety of factors, including the number of teeth that need to be grafted, the type of graft used, and whether the procedure is combined with other procedures. Your out-of-pocket payments may be significantly reduced if your insurance plan covers the gum grafting treatment. If you’re not sure whether your dental insurance plan covers gum grafting, ask your provider, regular dentist, or periodontist for an estimate.
Additional Cost Factors
There will be additional expenditures in addition to the gum graft that will affect the overall amount of money needed to finish the surgery. This includes the cost of your initial consultation to see if gum grafting is correct for you, as well as any further operations performed in conjunction with gum grafting. The overall cost will be determined by the severity of your case and the length of time required to execute the gum grafting operation, as well as whether or not dental sedation is needed, and if so, what type of dental sedation is employed.
Payment Options
Gum grafting is usually covered by insurance, however each patient’s plan will have varied levels of coverage and out-of-pocket costs. If you’re having a gum graft along with other treatments, it’s a good idea to schedule part of your treatment for the end of the fiscal year and any follow-up appointments for the beginning of the next year, when your plan cycles over. Additional payment options for funding the cost of gum grafting are listed below if you do not have dental insurance.
FSAs allow patients to contribute $2,600 each year, which is tax-free and can be used to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs. Some employers contribute to the FSA as well, but they are not required to. HSAs allow patients to contribute $3,400 per person or $6,700 per family per year, which is tax-free and can be used to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses. Unlike FSAs, HSA funds are carried over from year to year and can be transferred if you move jobs.
If you want to use this kind of payment, be sure you know what your clinic’s payment procedures are. Some clinics need you to pay them first and then be reimbursed, while others may bill your account straight.
If you don’t have access to these payment alternatives and are putting off scheduling a gum grafting treatment because you’re worried about the cost, ask your dentist or periodontist if they offer payment plans. Although each clinic’s finance policies differ significantly, it is customary for clinics to allow customers to pay for a portion of the operation up front and then make monthly payments over a set length of time.
How much does it cost to fix receding gums with insurance?
- Gum contouring can cost $50-$350 to remove and restructure the gum around a single tooth if the gums have overrun the teeth, creating an uneven or “gummy” appearance. Because the condition rarely affects just one tooth, the cost of altering many front teeth can range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more.
- A gum tissue graft can cost between $600 and $1200 for a single surgery in one specific place if the gums are receding, leaving the tooth root exposed and possibly sensitive to hot or cold substances. The number of operations required will be determined by the extent of gum recession.
- Periodontal treatment for the entire mouth might entail a range of techniques (such as full-mouth disinfection or pocket depth reduction surgery ). The usual overall cost is $4,000-$6,000, but if the damage is substantial, it might be $8,000-$10,000 or more.
- Surgical restoration procedures that are medically required are frequently covered by dental insurance, while cosmetic procedures are not. If the gum surgery is classified as a medical operation, however, part of the expenses may be reimbursed by ordinary health insurance.
- Depending on the situation, the gum repair process might be simple or complex. The American Academy of Periodontology gives a comprehensive overview of gum illnesses as well as non-surgical and surgical gum restoration techniques.
- A periodontal diagnosis exam and x-rays, which can cost an extra $150-$400 if not included in the advertised fee, are usually the first steps in treating gum disease.
- For new patients who have not had dental care in a long time, a full-mouth debridement (clearing away extra debris so the gums and bones can be seen and evaluated) costs $75-$150 or more. Exams and X-rays are usually covered by dental insurance, but debridement is not.
- Gum repair is frequently performed in conjunction with cosmetic dental bonding ($100-$1,000 per tooth), veneers ($500-$1,100 per tooth), or crowns ($500-$3,000 or more per tooth).
- For services provided by supervised students or teachers, dental school clinics charge a lower fee.
- The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has a list of resources for getting affordable dental care.
- The insurance company will supply a list of approved dentists and periodontists if the patient has dental insurance. Alternatively, look for members of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology, or American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists in your area.
- Most dental and periodontal practices provide a variety of financing alternatives, ranging from a discount for paying in full up front to payment plans and loans from third-party lenders.
Does insurance cover periodontal surgery?
Some treatments for periodontal disease and its complications may be covered by medical insurance. While most medical insurance policies do not cover periodontal operations, some do “If the patient is having a different surgical procedure that is covered by the plan, it may pay for the periodontal assessment and treatment” (Haney 2018). Some insurance policies cover gum surgery in part if it is classified as a “medical operation” (“Laser Gum Treatment & Cost”). Typically, insurance policies do not cover “Gum grafting is a procedure in which a periodontist takes tissue from the roof of the mouth and grafts it over exposed roots or damaged gums” (Haney 2018). A periodontal, or gum, abscess can also be caused by periodontitis, a deep periodontal pocket, or a weakened immune system “unable to combat infection” (Higuera 2018). Non-surgical medical care can be billed by dentists “periodontal abscess curettage,” to medical insurance (Taxin 2016).
How painful is a gum graft?
The gum grafting technique itself is painless. Because a local anesthetic is utilized to numb the affected area, this is the case. This surgery is usually performed by a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in gum disease and the gums.
As your periodontist performs the operation, you may feel some movement or pressure. If you experience any discomfort during the operation, please notify your periodontist.
The numbing effects of a local anesthetic can continue for several hours in most cases. You may feel a tingling sensation and begin to feel discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off.
What are alternatives to gum grafting?
Gum recession treatment is frequently required to restore the health of your gum tissue, as well as to ensure that your teeth remain healthy and that your jaw bone does not deteriorate. One of the symptoms of receding gums is sensitivity to temperature, which can be highly uncomfortable and drive you to avoid meals and beverages that you enjoy.
Gum recession can be brought on by a variety of factors, including poor dental hygiene, smoking, periodontal disease, medical conditions, and even some drugs. Gum disease can be caused by genetics as well as vigorous brushing behaviors. When tissue recedes, the root surface is exposed, which can result in temperature sensitivity, loss of jaw bone structure, and tooth loss. Fortunately, there are several treatment options for gum recession, which we will discuss here.
Scaling and Root Planing
Periodontal disease and minor gum recession can be effectively treated with scaling and root planing. This is merely a deep cleaning performed under local anesthetic by your dental hygienist. Because the cleaning penetrates down below the gum line, which can be highly sensitive and unpleasant, you must be sedated. This therapy is frequently divided into two visits, with one side done at a time. This is done to ensure that the patient’s entire mouth does not become numb after they leave the office.
Your dental hygienist will use hand tools to wipe up plaque and bacteria that have accumulated in the pockets of your gum tissue that are positioned between the gums and the tooth surface during scaling and root planing. This permits the gums to recover closer to the tooth surface, concealing any roots that were previously visible. Gum recession can be treated by scaling and root planing as a preliminary step.
Gum Contouring
Gum contouring is likely to be performed by your dentist, although they may refer you to a periodontist. A soft tissue laser or even a scalpel is utilized to remodel the gumline for gum contouring. This permits the gum tissue to rebuild around the tooth in a better position, keeping plaque and bacteria out of the gum pockets. This is also the procedure used to correct a gummy smile. Before your procedure, a local anesthetic will be given, regardless of the equipment utilized.
Gum Graft Surgery
A piece of tissue extracted from the roof of your mouth or a piece of tissue previously obtained from a cadaver donor and frozen can be used for a gum graft. This healthy tissue is sutured in place over the damaged location. A gum graft can be utilized to help one or more teeth regain their health.
While highly effective in situations of severe recession, a gum graft can be unpleasant during recovery. However, your doctor will ensure that you have the best chance of success by providing you with postoperative diet and dental hygiene advice. Gum graft surgery pain is usually controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Gum Regeneration
Finally, there’s gum regeneration to consider. Gum regeneration is a treatment option for people who have severe gum recession and bone loss. Your doctor will clip back a portion of gum tissue in the afflicted location and put a bone graft for gum regeneration. Your doctor will be able to conduct the final gum graft once the bone graft has properly merged.
Is gum grafting worth it?
Gum grafting is a very safe and effective treatment that has been used to treat several cases of receding and thinned gums caused by rigorous brushing and gum disease. Even yet, problems and infections can arise, especially if sufficient post-operative care is not provided.
Is gum graft surgery worth it?
While gum tissue transplants are helpful at repairing gum recession and preventing further damage, there is no guarantee that gum issues will not recur. However, significant damage needing surgery can be avoided with frequent dental examinations and diligent dental care at home. Other methods for avoiding gum disease include:
- Visit your dentist on a regular basis for checkups and expert teeth cleanings, and if needed, see your periodontist.
Can gum graft fall off?
- If there is evidence of infection, prescribe an antibiotic: amoxicillin 500 mg t.i.d. for 3 days is typically sufficient. Check to see if a previous antibiotic was prescribed, and if so, try an alternative.
- Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication (400600 mg t.i.d. or q.i.d. for 45 days) or acetaminophen-codeine-caffeine (one tablet q. 46h. p.r.n. for 34 days) for pain relief.
- For 710 days, begin or continue to use an antimicrobial mouth rinse (chlorhexidine 0.12 percent ).
- Check for CTG root coverage (may achieve partial coverage of exposed root surface).
- Retreatment will most likely be necessary if there is no indication of root coverage (CTG) or a zone of keratinized gingiva (FGG). In this case, seek the advice of a periodontist. The periodontist or operative surgeon will determine whether the transplant is successful or not. Failure occurs in fewer than 2% of the time.
Is gum grafting permanent?
Gum grafting surgery covers the exposed root permanently, alleviates discomfort, and restores the gums’ health. Improved look – Gum recession and inflammation are symptoms of periodontal disease.