A gum graft—also known as a gingival graft or periodontal plastic surgery—encompasses surgical procedures designed to cover exposed tooth roots using healthy tissue from elsewhere in your mouth or from donor sources. This versatile treatment addresses one of the most common concerns in periodontal care: gum recession.
When your gums recede, they expose the sensitive root surfaces of your teeth, creating both functional problems and aesthetic concerns. While periodontal disease is the primary cause of gum recession, other factors can contribute to this condition, including overly aggressive brushing habits and physical trauma to the mouth.
Modern periodontal treatment offers several gum grafting techniques, each designed for specific situations and patient needs:
Free Gingival Graft This procedure focuses on thickening existing gum tissue to create a more robust barrier against further recession. During treatment, we carefully remove a layer of tissue from your palate and relocate it to the area affected by gum recession. Both the donor site and the treatment area heal quickly and completely without causing permanent damage.
Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft Commonly used to cover exposed tooth roots, this technique involves harvesting tissue from the outer layer of your palate with minimal discomfort. The harvested tissue is then carefully positioned over the recession site, providing excellent coverage and natural-looking results.
Acellular Dermal Matrix Allograft This innovative approach uses medically processed, donated human tissue as the grafting material. The significant advantage of this method is that it eliminates the need for a donor site in your palate, resulting in less post-operative discomfort and a more comfortable overall experience.
Despite its intimidating name, gum grafting is a routine periodontal procedure with consistently excellent results. The benefits extend far beyond simple aesthetics:
Eliminating Tooth Sensitivity Exposed tooth roots can make eating or drinking hot or cold foods an uncomfortable experience. The sensitive root surface lacks the protective enamel coating found on the tooth crown, leading to sharp, sudden pain. Gum grafting permanently covers these exposed areas, dramatically reducing sensitivity and restoring your ability to enjoy your favorite foods comfortably.
Enhancing Your Smile's Appearance Gum recession and root exposure can make your teeth appear unnaturally long, creating a "toothy" smile that many patients find unattractive. Gum grafting restores proper proportions, making your teeth appear shorter and more symmetrical. The procedure can also enhance adjacent tissues for improved overall aesthetics, creating a more balanced and pleasing smile.
Protecting Long-Term Oral Health Periodontal disease can rapidly destroy gum tissue, and without intervention, significant tissue loss can occur in a short time. Gum grafting helps halt this progression, preventing further tissue and bone loss while protecting exposed roots from decay. This proactive approach can save you from more extensive treatments in the future.
Before your gum grafting procedure, we'll ensure your mouth is in optimal condition for healing. This involves thoroughly cleaning your teeth both above and below the gum line to remove tartar buildup and harmful bacteria. We'll also provide educational resources and personalized homecare instructions to maximize your treatment success and reduce your risk of future periodontal problems.
Your gum grafting procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia to ensure your complete comfort. The specific technique will depend on whether we're using tissue from your palate or donor material.
Creating the Recipient Site We begin by making small, precise incisions at the treatment area to create a pocket that will accommodate the graft. This careful preparation ensures optimal positioning and integration of the new tissue.
Placing the Graft Next, we make a split-thickness incision and carefully insert the connective tissue graft between the separated tissue layers. The graft is intentionally sized slightly larger than the recession area to ensure complete coverage, so some excess tissue may be visible initially.
Securing and Protecting the Graft Sutures are placed to stabilize the graft and prevent any movement from the designated position. We then apply protective surgical material over the treatment area to safeguard it during the critical first week of healing.
The initial healing phase typically takes about one week, during which the protective material and your body's natural healing processes work together to establish the graft. Complete healing and tissue maturation occur over approximately six weeks, during which time you'll see the graft integrate seamlessly with your existing gum tissue.
Throughout the healing process, you can expect the treated area to gradually develop a uniform appearance that blends naturally with your surrounding gums. The result is not only improved function and comfort but also a more attractive, healthier-looking smile.
Gum grafting represents more than just a cosmetic improvement—it's a proactive investment in your long-term oral health. By addressing gum recession early, you can prevent more serious complications a
Phone: (561) 272-5858 Fax: (561) 272-5615 Address: 505 S.E. 6th Ave., Suite A Delray Beach, Fl 33483
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