The gum tissue that is closely adherent to the necks of your teeth is called keratinized gingival tissue. The keratinized tissue in your mouth holds your teeth in place and protects the roots and bone. Loss of this keratinized tissue results in exposure of tooth roots, known as gingival recession. This can cause sensitivity or pain because of the exposed root surface, make your teeth more prone to damage or decay, and compromise the esthetics of your smile. To rectify this, your periodontist may suggest several surgical corrective therapies.\
Gingival grafting
Gingival grafting or gum grafting is a simple surgical procedure that is used to build up lost gum tissue. There is a variety of gum grafts available, and your periodontist will discuss all of them with you before recommending the one most suitable for your needs. All gum graft surgeries involve harvesting healthy soft tissue from another part of your mouth and attaching it to the place where your gums have receded.
Root Coverage Grafting
Root coverage grafting is a surgical procedure carried out to reverse the effects of gum recession. It aims to extend keratinized gum tissue over the exposed tooth roots to ensure firm placement inside the jaws. This prevents the tooth from further damage and restores the good health of the gums and teeth.
The doctors Heller, Beckman, Thousand, and Hyer are adept at all periodontal graft surgeries and look forward to assisting you at Periodontal Associates (Aurora and Littleton). Call now to book an appointment at (303)-755-4500 (Aurora) or (303)-795-5700 (Littleton).
Procedure:
After choosing a graft that is best suitable for you depending on the extent of gingival recession and your oral hygiene, your periodontists Doctors Heller, Beckman, Thousand, and Hyer will administer local anesthesia to your gums to ensure that the procedure is pain-free.
Gum tissue surrounding the tooth requiring treatment may be pulled back to clean the tooth efficiently and prep it for receiving a graft.
The doctors at Periodontal Associates are very friendly and cooperative, and make sure that you’re comfortable before, during, and after the procedure.
Do not hesitate to call (303)-755-4500 (Aurora) or (303)-795-5700 (Littleton) to book your appointment today!
Types of gum grafts:
There are three main types of gum grafts available.
- Connective tissue grafts. This is the most common method used to treat root exposure. A small flap is cut from the roof of your mouth and a piece of connective tissue is removed from under the flap and stitched to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed tooth root. This is used to cover up previously exposed root surfaces.
- Conventional gingival graft. This is mostly used in people with thin gums who need additional tissue to prevent further recession. Similar to the connective tissue graft, this is also performed using tissue from the roof of your mouth. It differs from the connective tissue graft in that it utilizes tissue cut directly from the palate rather than removing connective tissue from under the top layer.
- Pedicle graft. This procedure is done in people who have an adequate amount of gum tissue near the tooth that needs repair. A flap is created using tissue right next to the tooth with recession, and rotated so that it covers the exposed tooth root. This type of graft has proven to be most successful because it doesn’t involve cutting tissue from anywhere in the mouth, and hence preserving blood supply during the procedure.
How does keratinized tissue affect a dental implant?
The amount of keratinized tissue present plays a vital role in implant placement, implant stability, and the overall long-term health of an implant. An adequate thickness of keratinized gum tissue is crucial for the long-term success of a dental implant.
If you need more tissue for a successful dental implant, your periodontist may offer you the option of gum grafting. Gum grafting helps support the implant and makes it easier for you to clean around it, increasing the longevity of the implant.
Doctors Heller, Beckman, Thousand, and Hyer are here to answer any queries you might have regarding gum grafts and to walk you through different treatment options to find the one most favorable for you. Do give us a call at (303)-755-4500 (Aurora) or (303)-795-5700 (Littleton) or visit our website https://www.periodontalhealth.com/ to book your appointment!