Gum Graft Surgery: What It Is And Why You Need It

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If you do not have sufficient gum tissue over your teeth and roots, your dentist might recommend gum graft surgery. There are many reasons to get gum graft surgery, from oral health issues to cosmetic reasons. Here is more information about gum graft surgery, why you should get it, and what you can expect from the procedure.

Why do you need gum graft surgery?

There are a few different reasons to get gum graft surgery. The first reason is for appearance. If you are not happy with your smile because too much of your teeth is showing due to lack of gum tissue, you can get gum grafts to cover up more of your teeth and have a natural-looking smile. You may also want to get the gum graft procedure if your teeth's roots are exposed. This not only puts you at risk of decay and infection, but it can be hard to brush your teeth and floss them when too much of the roots are exposed.

Additionally, you can get gum graft surgery if you are experiencing hypersensitivity due to the exposed roots and teeth, and lack of gum tissue protecting them. If you are getting a restoration procedure done, you will probably need gum graft surgery for that as well.

How is the procedure performed?

Instead of just one method used for the gum graft procedure, there are three of them. The procedure your dentist chooses depends on a number of factors, including things like how much tissue you will need.

Connective tissue graft – Most people getting gum graft surgery will get a connective tissue graft. This type of graft involves cutting a flap of skip at roof of the mouth and removing tissue from beneath this flap. The flap is removed and the tissue is used for the gum graft. The tissue removed is connected to the gum tissue around the root by using stitching.

Pedicle graft – The pedicle graft does not take tissue from the palate, which is the roof of the mouth, but instead from the gums themselves. A partial cut is made in the gums, allowing the gum to be pulled down over the exposed root. It is stitched in this position. This is ideal for people who have enough gum tissue to cover the roots, but their gums are positioned too high.

Free gingival graft – The gingival graft is similar to the connective tissue graft, except one part of the procedure is different. Instead of making a flap, the tissue from the roof of the mouth itself is removed for the graft. This is better for people with thin gums so they get that extra tissue for enlarging them.

While gum graft surgery does not have a 100 percent success rate, it works great on many patients. Talk to a clinic, such as Periodontal Specialists, if you are interested in getting this procedure.


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