Re: Tissue graft to gum questions

From: Steven Bornfeld (dentaltwinnospam_at_earthlink.net)
Date: 11/15/04 

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 09:17:08 -0500

Joel M. Eichen wrote:
> REPLY
>
> On November 15, 2004 at 5:24:42 AM '????????????' posted....
>
> Where did you find this Joel? Without seeing the patient is sounds
> like she has a lack of attached gingival tissue and has had some
> recession. I assume the proceedure planned is a SECTG. A very
> predictable proceedure. 3K sounds very high even for LA. Would like to
> hear what others think. Ed
>
>
>

Joel--

        Who is Ed?
        We should clarify that Ed is abbreviating a subepithelial connective
tissue graft. It is no longer considered experimental, that's for sure.
  I would guess that the actual attachment gain would vary depending
upon the particular situation, but it is quite predictable. Yes, $3K
sounds pretty high, but there could well be other parts of the treatment
plan (bone grafting? splinting?) that we are not hearing about.

Steve

>
>
> On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 23:59:15 -0800, Camilla Cracchiolo
> <camilla4@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>
>>I've been told by a peridontologist that, despite being a fanatic
>>about oral hygiene, I have about 25% bone loss under the gum line and
>>I need a tissue graft to my lower 4 front teeth if I want to keep
>>them. He also wants to reposition the attachment from my lower lip to
>>my gums since he says pressure from the lip pulling on the gum line is
>>part of the problem. This will cost $3000.
>>
>>
>>My questions:
>>
>>1. How effective is this procedure? Is it controversial in any way
>>or still experimental?
>>
>>2. Is there an effective alternative that doesn't require surgery but
>>is effective in supporting the teeth (such as wiring them in place,
>>perhaps?)
>>
>>3. He told me that the latest thinking is that bone loss and gum
>>inflammation may not only be due to poor oral hygiene but in some
>>people is autoimmune. Is this backed up by evidence, and if so, are
>>anti inflammatories such as naproxyn at all useful? Are there other
>>medications of value? I do have what appears to be some mild
>>unidentified autoimmune problem. I do have what appears to be some
>>mild unidentified autoimmune illness so it wouldn't surprise me too
>>much.
>>
>>4. And is $3000 a reasonable price for this procedure? (I live in
>>Los Angeles, I realize prices can vary from community to community.)
>>
>>I can see that one gum is considerably lower than the rest and the
>>front 4 teeth are slightly loose. They have been slightly loose for
>>years, since prior to about 6 years ago I was not a good dental
>>citizen and did not floss. That changed with my discovery of floss
>>holders and I now not only brush several times a day, but floss EVERY
>>time I brush. The bone loss and the looseness of the front teeth have
>>stayed steady since I started this practice and otherwise my gums are
>>in good shape with no bleeding or pockets.
>>
>>Obviously, if it's good standard dental practice and is effective,
>>then I want to do it. My mama and both my aunts lost all their teeth
>>after menopause and I do not want to wind up like them. Want to
>>keep those teeth. But I don't want to get ripped off either.
>>
>>Thank you.
>>___________________________________________________
>>
>> Camilla Cracchiolo
>> Registered Nurse
>> Los Angeles, California
>>
>>camilla4@mindspring.com webpage temporarily down
>
>

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