Gum Graft Recommendations, DMV?

[Anonymous]

Hi, my gums are mildly receding (grinding). Rather than bond the top of each tooth, I am interested in exploring gum grafting. Would love to hear who to see in the DMV--DC, MD or VA--as well as if anyone has tried the pinhole option. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Dr Suwid, periodontist did 10 grafts for me. I did one side of my mouth at a time, so two grafting procedures. He goes to different dentists' offices on different days. I saw him at Vienna Cosmetic and Family Dentistry.

My dentist said pinhole works well for the upper teeth, but not the lower ones (or vice versa, can't remember). So that was a no.

Dr Suwid uses Allograft. No pain the next day or thereafter. I was really afraid of grafting because I knew two people who did it previously and it was super painful for them. They had tissue taken from the roof of mouth....that is super painful. I did not have that procedure.

It is a big commitment to eat carefully for awhile, to avoid brushing the area for weeks, to go to follow up appointments, etc. But if you need it, it's worth doing.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Zupnik at ZCYW in Bethesda did my gum graft and after being really nervous it was easy and turned out great. The whole staff was great and put me at ease. I wouldn't hesitate to return if I need another one.

[Anonymous]

do you mind telling me the cost ? My lowers seem fine. It's some uppers on the side. I am in that NW DC /Bethesda area. what is allograph?

[Anonymous]

Ah, I see--allograph is donor tissue?

[Anonymous]

It was about $4000 each time. This was 2024 and 2023. Five teeth each time. The allograft is just the scaffolding for your own cells to grow upon.

[Anonymous]

Dr Zalewsky, Precision Periodontists
https://www.precisioninperio.com/dr-justin-zalewsky/

[Anonymous]

I used Dr. Sally Cram about 20 years ago for the lower. I used my own roof of the mouth tissue, which was objectively the worst part of it.

I did another round for upper this past summer with DC Perio in Eastern Market - I used donor tissue this time. It was definitely unpleasant, but better than having a wound on the roof of my mouth as well.

Surprisingly, the prices stayed about the same over the past 20 years - this summer was 2500 and I'll have the other side done for $1500.

[Anonymous]

Dr Puterman has done grafts for myself and my husband. Highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Zupnik at ZCYW in Bethesda did my gum graft and after being really nervous it was easy and turned out great. The whole staff was great and put me at ease. I wouldn't hesitate to return if I need another one.

He did an implant for me 20+ years ago. He was great.

[Anonymous]

has anyone done this pinhole technique locally

[Anonymous]

Dr Choudry on Rockville Pike. He’s doing my gum graft where I had an implant. Seems great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr Puterman has done grafts for myself and my husband. Highly recommend.

I used Dr. Puterman too and also liked him. I also consulted Eugenia Prokopets. Both recommended using my own tissue as an option that was more likely to heal well and last longer. They both will use Allograft if they can’t harvest enough from the roof of your mouth to cover the areas where you have recession.

I ultimately chose Puterman because he offers twighlight sedation every day that he does procedures. Prokopets uses a nurse anesthetist who is only available once per month, which makes scheduling a little more challenging. Puterman was also a bit more conservative in the treatment plan he recommended and, thus, less expensive.