Connective Tissue Grafting (Gum Grafts)
Why would I need a gum graft?
Before Connective Tissue Grafting |
After Connective Tissue Grafting |
Exposed roots are the result of gum recession. This is most often caused by vigorous tooth brushing or periodontal disease. Perhaps you don’t like the appearance of your smile due to the exposed roots that make your teeth appear too long. Perhaps the exposed roots are causing sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet things. Because the roots of teeth are soft, they can also become very susceptible to root decay and damage done by toothpaste abrasives. |
Prior to treating recession, it is important to determine the cause of the problem. Once the contributing factors are controlled, soft tissue grafting can help repair the problem and prevent further gum recession.
In summary, gum grafting is protection from decay, relief from sensitivity and a more esthetically pleasing smile.
How does gum grafting work?
During this procedure, a thin piece of tissue may be taken from the roof of the mouth or from another donor area in the mouth and used to cover the exposed root. This can be done for one tooth or several teeth to even the gum line and reduce the sensitivity.
An alternative to using your own tissue is to use AlloDerm. AlloDerm is a dermal matrix that allows us to give you the tissue grafts you need, without the limitations of harvesting the tissue from the palate. Not everyone has enough tissue available, or wants to take the tissue from the mouth. AlloDerm provides us with unlimited tissue so that we can graft any number of teeth in just one visit. The results using AlloDerm are equivalent to using the patient’s own tissue.
AlloDerm is processed from donated, human tissue that must pass the same stringent screening criteria as any other implantable tissue or organ. Even before it undergoes processing, the donor tissue must pass rigid guidelines set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Besides its use in dental treatment, AlloDerm has been used extensively in burn reconstructive surgery and plastic reconstructive surgery.
Will it hurt?
Local anesthesia is required for gum grafting. Oral or IV sedation is also available for your complete comfort. Patients experience little discomfort following treatment and Advil or Tylenol is generally used. A softer diet is required for a few weeks. Most patients return to work the next day.
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