Gum Grafting
Gum Grafting
Gum grafts can also be known as gingival grafts. This periodontal procedure covers the tooth’s root surface with oral tissue.
The roots of your teeth can become exposed when periodontal disease progresses and you experience severe gum recession. Or, you could experience an exposed tooth root due to trauma to your mouth or brushing your teeth too aggressively.
There are three main types of gum grafting.
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Free gingival graft: dentists use this procedure to thicken your gums. To get the necessary gum tissue, your dentist will remove tissue from your palate and place it in the area suffering from gum recession. You’ll be amazed at how quickly these areas of the mouth heal and show no signs of damage.
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Subepithelial connective tissue graft: dentists use this technique to cover exposed roots. Just like in a free gingival graft, your dentist will remove tissue from your palate and place it in the area suffering from gum recession.
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Acellular dermal matrix allograft: this process does not take tissue from your palate. Instead, it uses donated human tissue that gets medically processed to prepare it for your gums. The great thing about this procedure is that you don’t have to go through the process of having tissue removed from one part of your mouth to another. It’s less painful too.
Why Your Dentist Might Recommend Gum Grafting?
Gum grafting treats a variety of periodontal issues. While the idea of grafting might sound frightening and unpleasant, it’s not as bad as it sounds, and it produces great results.
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Extreme sensitivity: if you suffer from an exposed root, you’ll have extreme sensitivity to hot and cold foods. A gum graft permanently covers these roots to make eating and drinking more comfortable and enjoyable for you.
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Toothy smile: as your gums recede, they’ll leave your smile looking especially toothy. Gum grafting can bring back your normal smile to restore it to its original beauty before gum disease became a problem. And, you can enjoy a more symmetrical look to your teeth thanks to gums that are more symmetrical.
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Deteriorating gum health: periodontal disease can rob your mouth of its healthy tissue. Gum grafting replaces that tissue and promotes healthy growth after your dentist has removed all infection and bacteria.
What’s the Process for Gum Grafting?
Before a gum grafting procedure, your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth to remove all plaque and bacteria. After your cleaning, your dentist will also provide some tips for proper home care to prevent plaque and bacteria from building up in your mouth and reduce the chances of gum disease in the future.
At your gum grafting appointment, your dentist will numb the area with local anesthetic. If your procedure includes tissue from your palate, your dentist will carefully harvest this healthy tissue. If it's coming from donated home tissue, you can skip this part.
The dentist will make a very small incision on either side of the area receiving the gum graft. Then the dentist will place the graft over the area and secure it in place with a few stitches. This will prevent the tissue from shifting. Finally, your dentist will cover the area with surgical material to allow it protection while it heals.
While you might see some extra tissue in the first few weeks after the procedure, your gums should normalize in appearance and feel healthy after about six weeks.
It’s a very simple procedure that can have a huge impact on your oral health and comfort. Contact our office if you have additional questions.
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