What is Gum Grafting
When gingiva, or gums start to recess, the body loses a natural defense against both bacterial penetration and trauma. When this problem starts to arise, one of the popular reconstruction techniques is gum grafting. This will solve the problem efficiently and also cure you of the “long in the tooth” look, or cosmetic defect.
There are different levels of gingiva recession, in minor cases, gum tissue still remains and can protect the tooth. If you only suffer from a minor case then gum grafting is unnecessary, only changing how you practice oral hygiene at home. However, when recession reaches the mucosa, the soft lining of your mouth, the first line of defense against bacterial penetration is lost.
Gum recession usually leads to root sensitivity to hot and cold foods, as well as making your gums and teeth unsightly. Gum recession can predispose to worsening recession and expose the root surface, which is softer than enamel, leading to root caries and root gouging.
Gum grafting is designed to solve these problems. A small, thin bit of tissue is relocated from either the roof of the mouth or from adjacent areas. This is to provide a stable band of attached gingiva around the tooth. Most patients, however, opt for donor skin, known as Allorderm, as they dislike the idea of having the tissue removed from their palate to help fix their gums. This option has the advantage of being pain-free in the palate, obviously, and having a more comfortable healing time. The gingival graft is placed over the exposed portion of the root to which it will attach.
The gingival graft procedure is highly predictable and results in a stable healthy band of attached tissue around the tooth. Furthermore, it helps protect the exposed and soft root surface.
New Gum Grafting Technique
Now a newer grafting technique is available so that you don’t have to endure the painful removal of tissue from the roof of the mouth. Tissue is used from a donor source to replace the need to take tissue from the roof of the mouth. This tissue is processed and sterilized so that there is no chance of disease transmission and is used to thicken the tissue where recession and thin tissue is breaking down.
The recovery time is much faster and less painful. It also allows for many more sites to be treated at one visit, thus reducing the inconvenience of being out of work or school while gum grafting.