What is Periodontal Gum Grafting?
Patients who experience sensitivity or pain when brushing or when teeth are exposed to hot or cold may need a dental treatment called periodontal soft tissue gum grafting. Gums serve in a protective capacity in our mouths. When gums recede, the roots of teeth become exposed. The recession of gum tissue can lead to increased sensitivity, pain and cavities because roots are no longer protected. If left untreated, gum recession can also involve periodontitis and eventual tooth loss.
This newly grafted gum tissue remains stable over time, giving teeth the protection they need. The main goal of soft tissue gum grafting treatment is to either cover the exposed root or to thicken the existing gum tissue in order to prevent further tissue loss. Gum grafts treat recession of the gum line by transplanting your own tissue from healthy gums or donor tissue to those requiring treatment.
Dr. Goldwyn and his knowledgeable staff at Portland Periodontics understand the pain and discomfort patients experience with gum recession and can treat this condition with periodontal gum grafting. Gum grafting and gum recession treatments can help greatly improve your overall gum health by halting tissue and bone loss and by protecting the exposed roots from further complications.
Types of Periodontal Gum Grafting
There are different types of common soft tissue grafting treatments that Dr. Goldwyn performs at Portland Periodontics:
The connective tissue gum graft is the most common treatment primarily used for large areas of root exposure. Most commonly, the sub-epithelial connective tissue is removed from a small flap in the mouth and sutured to the graft site.
The free gingival graft is most commonly used for thickening existing gum tissue, to prevent further recession. To promote natural growth, a small section of tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth, or donor tissue is used and sutured to the grafting site.
Sometimes, by simply repositioning your existing gum tissue, exposed roots can be covered. This eliminates the need to have a donor site or use donor tissue. The movement of this soft tissue is ideal since the tissue is simply moved and blood vessels are left in place.
If you have a “gummy” smile, a Gingivectomy/Gingivoplasty can provide cosmetic enhancement of your smile through the surgical removal and recontouring of the gingival, exposing the natural crowns of your teeth.
An allograft is a treatment option that eliminates a patient’s need to donate bone or tissue for a periodontal procedure. An allograft is donated bone or tissue that’s been specially processed so that it can be surgically transplanted. This alternative treatment provides patients with sterile human tissue that doesn’t contain blood or cells.
A frenectomy is a procedure that helps correct teeth spacing, malalignment, gum recession and the impairment of proper dental hygiene. The frenum is a fold in the gingiva that passes from the lip to the gingival margin, which can retract the gingiva when the lip is stretched. The removal of this frenum is done under local anesthesia, where the frenum base is separated from the gingiva and then sutured.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a common surgical procedure to expose more surface area of a tooth by removing a small amount of gum tissue and bone. Crown lengthening may be necessary if a tooth breaks off at the gum line, if there's deep decay or decay underneath a crown or filling or if there's an abundance of gum tissue already around teeth. Once enough tooth has been exposed in the compromised area, Dr. Goldwyn will put in necessary stitches and provide care after the surgical procedure.
During your consultation, Dr. Goldwyn will carefully explain the best gum grafting treatment option for you, recovery time and happily answer all of your questions regarding gum grafting and gum recession treatment. Contact our Portland periodontal practice today!