Soft Tissue Grafts and Perodontal Aesthetics
Gum Grafts and Periodontal Aesthetics
A gum graft is a surgical procedure done to increase the amount of "soft tissue" around the teeth or the dental implants.
This can be used to treat gingival recessions, for aesthetic or sensitivity reasons, or to improve the quality of the gum around implants, thus allowing the toothbrush to clean your teeth in a better and more effective way.
Gum recession may be caused by an incorrect tooth brushing technique, oral trauma or could be a result of an orthodontic treatment. The procedure doesn't just provide health benefits, but also improves the cosmetic appeal so that patients once again have natural and healthy smiles.
If you have gum recession from chronic advanced periodontitis which can lead to generalised more severe recession, reparative treatment can be difficult or impossible. The only way to improve the aesthetics is to try and mask the tissue loss. Occasionally this can be done by clever use of white fillings to close the gaps between the tooth.
Gum grafts can be used to cover roots or develop gum tissue where absent due to excessive gingival recession. Coverage of gum recession involves a minor surgical procedure that moves the adjacent gum over the recession. Often a small piece of gum is also taken from the palate to add to the missing gum over the recession to cover the exposed root/implant. This can be done for one tooth or several teeth to even your gum line and reduce sensitivity.
Clinical studies see a relation between Dental Implant survival and presence of keratinized mucosa and confirms the importance of having a growth of keratinized mucosa around the implant. Current clinical trend today is to obtain an adequate soft tissue thickness around osseointegrated implants.
Benefits
Gum grafting procedures can result in a reduction of sensitivity, providing an improved domiciliar oral hygiene and health, with a better long term aesthetic result for your teeth.
A gum graft reduces further recession and bone resorption. It can also be used to cover exposed roots to protect them from decay, thus reducing tooth sensitivity and improving aesthetics of your smile.
Risk I need to know
As with all surgical procedures there are risks, such as bleeding, bruising, infection and nausea. After surgery, patients may experience temporary side-effects and slight discomfort. These affects soon pass and patients will then experience the benefits of their dental implants. After treatment normal oral function may be resumed for eating, drinking and speaking.