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Gum Grafting
What is Gum Grafting?
When a patient experiences gum recession due to gum disease or other issues, a gum grafting procedure raises the gum line to a more attractive level. Gum grafting reduces the amount of tooth exposed and improves the appearance of your smile. Besides the cosmetic benefit that this procedure offers, repairing gum recession and the damage caused by gum disease is critical to your health. Since gum tissue acts as the chief line of defense against bacteria, the inadequate gum tissue around the teeth can cause bacteria to flourish, inviting a host of health concerns.
The Gum Grafting Procedure at Central Ohio Periodontics
Depending on your dental and medical condition, the doctors may recommend one of three gum grafting procedures, or a new procedure called Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique:
- Connective-tissue graft: Connective-tissue grafts are the most commonly performed of the three procedures. During a connective-tissue graft treatment, either donor tissue or the patient’s own tissue is used. If the patient’s own tissue is used, the tissue is obtained from underneath a flap of skin at the roof of the mouth that is cut and then stitched back together after harvesting the tissue. This donor tissue is sewn to the gum tissue around the receded and unprotected root. As time goes on, the two will fuse together and form a higher gum line.
- Free gingival graft: Free gingival grafts are usually performed when patients have naturally thin gums. A small area of tissue will be removed from the roof of the mouth and then sutured near the gum line.
- Pedicle graft: Pedicle grafts can be used in cases where a patient has sufficient gum tissue near the tooth that needs repair. The doctors will utilize tissue from that area to create the graft, thus avoiding obtaining tissue from the roof of the mouth.
If you are interested in learning more about Gum Grafting, contact us today at 614-401-8405 or office@centralohioperiodontics.com. We welcome you to our office and encourage you to schedule your appointment today!
