Gum grafting is a surgical procedure to cover exposed tooth roots with grafted tissue, often necessary due to gum recession or trauma.
A gum graft (also known as a gingival graft or periodontal plastic surgery) is a collective name for surgical periodontal procedures that aim to cover an exposed tooth root surface with grafted oral tissue.
Exposed tooth roots are usually the result of gingival recession due to periodontal disease. Other common causes include overly aggressive brushing and trauma.
Common Types of Gum Grafting:
- Free gingival graft: Thickens gum tissue by relocating tissue from the palate to the recession area. Both sites heal quickly without permanent damage.
- Subepithelial connective tissue graft: Covers exposed roots with tissue from the palate’s outer layer, often performed painlessly.
- Acellular dermal matrix allograft: Uses medically processed human tissue, avoiding the need for a palate donor site, reducing pain.
Reasons for Gum Grafting:
- Reduced Sensitivity: Covers exposed roots to reduce sensitivity to hot and cold foods, restoring comfort and gum health.
- Improved Appearance: Corrects gum recession, making teeth appear shorter and more symmetrical, enhancing the smile’s aesthetics.
- Enhanced Gum Health: Prevents further tissue and bone loss, protecting exposed roots from decay and halting the progression of periodontal disease.
What Does Gum Grafting Treatment Involve?
The gum grafting procedure involves cleaning the teeth, making incisions, and inserting the graft, usually under local anesthesia.
Once the need for gum grafting surgery has been determined, several preparatory treatments may be necessary. First, the teeth must be thoroughly cleaned supra- and subgingivally to remove calculus (tartar) and bacteria. The dentist can also provide literature, advice, and educational tools to improve home care and reduce the risk of periodontal disease in the future.
Procedure Steps:
- Small incisions are made at the recipient site to create a pocket for the graft.
- A split-thickness incision is made, and the connective tissue graft is inserted between the two sections of tissue.
- The graft is usually slightly larger than the recession area, so some excess will be visible.
- Sutures are placed to stabilize the graft, preventing it from shifting.
- Surgical material is used to protect the area during the first week of healing.
Uniformity and healing of the gums typically occur within six weeks.
For any questions about gum grafting, please ask your dentist.