What to Expect in a Gum Graft Procedure
Has your dentist told you that you need to undergo a gum graft procedure? Don’t panic; it’s not as bad as it may sound. When you are experiencing serious gum recession, your dentist will likely say that this procedure is necessary to protect your teeth.
In gum recession, the surrounding tissue of the teeth pulls away, leaving more of the affected teeth exposed. Because it involves a gradual process, gum recession, in most cases, goes unnoticed until it has become severe. This condition can particularly affect the supporting bone.
The result of gum recession an exposed tooth root that can contribute to tooth sensitivity; painful sensations are triggered when consuming hot or cold food items or beverages. To avoid pain and tooth loss due to gum recession, it is crucial that the patient undergoes gum grafting to prevent further deterioration.
Do you know what to expect in a gum graft procedure? There are three types of gum tissue grafts.
Connective tissue grafting is the most common, which is used to address root exposure. For this procedure, a piece of tissue is incised from the roof of the mouth and stitched to the damaged gum tissue that surrounds the exposed root.
Free gingival grafting is similar to the foregoing procedure because it involves cutting tissue from the roof of the mouth and attaching it to the affected area. This is resorted to for patients who need additional material to enlarge their gums.
The third type of gum graft procedure is pedicle grafting. This does not involve cutting tissue from the palate. It is ideal for patients who have sufficient gum tissue surrounding the tooth.
To learn more about these gum graft procedures, speak with your oral surgeon.
