Gum Grafting
In periodontal disease, swollen and unhealthy gums begin to recede from the teeth, often causing pain and sensitivity. Gum grafting can help restore the gum’s coverage over the teeth and reduce sensitivity.
Your gums play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and keeping your teeth healthy. They protect the roots of your teeth by forming a seal around them. Healthy gums help prevent infections and gum recession, which can result from over-brushing, periodontal disease, and bruxism (teeth grinding).
Regardless of the cause, gum recession can expose areas of your teeth not protected by enamel, leading to pain and sensitivity. This exposure allows bacteria to bypass the protective layers of the teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay, which may necessitate root canals or extractions. Additionally, gum recession can affect your smile by making your teeth appear longer.
What Is Gum Grafting?
In a gum grafting procedure, tissue is taken from the soft palate (the back of the roof of the mouth) to cover areas of the teeth exposed by gum recession. This graft helps protect exposed teeth and roots from bacteria and tartar, reducing pain and sensitivity.
Mild cases of gum recession can be treated with scaling and root planing, a non-invasive procedure where your dentist cleans areas exposed by recession and spaces under the gums prone to collecting decay-causing bacteria. For advanced cases where scaling and root planing are insufficient, a gum grafting procedure involves attaching new gum tissue to the exposed areas of the teeth and roots.
Procedure Overview
There are three main types of gum grafts: free gingival grafts, subepithelial connective tissue grafts, and pedicle grafts. Free gingival grafts are taken from the surface of the soft palate, while subepithelial connective tissue grafts are harvested from beneath a flap cut from the soft palate. Pedicle grafts use gum tissue from an area adjacent to the recession. Donor tissue may also be used.
After retrieving the graft tissue, it is attached to the receded gum area with sutures.
Aftercare
After the graft, your gums and the graft site may be tender. You will need to eat soft foods for a week or two and avoid disturbing any stitches. Once your dentist removes the stitches, you can return to your regular diet.
While gum grafting can help slow or even halt gum recession and infection, the gums remain susceptible to these issues. Therefore, maintaining good oral hygiene habits is crucial. Regular dental visits, along with daily brushing and flossing, will help keep your gums healthy.
