Understanding Gum Recession and Its Impact
Periodontal disease can lead to gum recession, where the gums pull back and expose the roots of your teeth. When this happens, the exposed roots become more vulnerable to decay, increased sensitivity, and further bone loss. Gum recession can also affect your smile’s appearance, especially when it occurs in the front teeth, revealing more of the tooth root than you’d like. While gum disease is a common cause of recession, habits like aggressive tooth brushing can also wear away gum tissue.
What is a Gum Graft?
A gum graft, also called a “gingival graft” or “soft tissue graft,” is a procedure where the dentist replaces lost gum tissue to cover the exposed tooth roots. This helps protect the teeth from decay, reduce sensitivity, and restore the aesthetics of your smile. Gum tissue for the graft can come from another part of your mouth or from a donor source. The dentist can perform a gum graft on one tooth or multiple teeth, depending on the case.
Types of Gum Grafts
There are three main types of gum grafts, and the choice depends on your specific needs:
- Free Gingival Graft: A small piece of tissue is taken from the palate (roof of the mouth). This type of graft is used when thicker tissue is needed to prevent further gum recession.
- Connective Tissue Graft: The most common graft, this involves taking a layer of connective tissue from under the top layer of the palate.
- Pedicle Graft: This graft uses a flap of tissue from an area adjacent to the gum recession.
Post-Procedure Care
After the gum graft procedure, your dentist will provide detailed instructions on how to care for the surgical site and set up follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and graft success.
