Restoring Your Gumline: Gingival Grafting at Schaefer Dental Group
If gum recession is affecting your health or your appearance, a procedure called gingival (gum) grafting may be recommended. Although it might sound scary, a variety of gum grafting procedures are routinely performed by periodontists (specialists in gingival tissue), and by some general dentists with specialized training in this field, such as at Schaefer Dental Group in Lansing, Michigan.
Gum grafting involves carefully placing a small amount of new tissue in an area where little or no gum tissue currently exists—typically recommended to prevent further gum recession or to cover exposed root surfaces of your teeth. The tissue used in this procedure may come from a variety of sources but usually is taken from the palate (roof of the mouth), after the area has been numbed for your comfort. Then it is delicately sutured (stitched) in place where it’s needed.
Your body’s natural recovery process takes over after the grafting procedure is complete. During this time, new blood vessels grow into the graft and help it to become integrated with the surrounding tissue. A successful graft can reduce or eliminate problems like tooth sensitivity and further gum recession, as well as improve the aesthetics of your smile.
A Closer Look at Your Gums
Inside your mouth, gum tissue forms a barrier that resists the mechanical and microbial effects of eating, chewing, and biting. Gums may begin to recede, or shrink down, for several reasons:
- Ineffective Oral Hygiene: Both inadequate brushing (which fails to remove plaque) and excessive brushing (which erodes the tissue).
- Foreign Objects/Habits: Poorly fitting removable dentures, tongue bolts, or even fingernails rubbing against the gums.
When the tooth’s roots lose the protection of healthy gum tissue, they can become extremely sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. Worse, missing gum tissue makes it easier for bacteria to penetrate the roots and cause decay—or for minor trauma to result in rapid gum recession. In either case, the eventual result may be tooth loss. That’s why proper treatment of gum recession is so important.
Treating Gum Recession With Gingival Grafting
After a thorough examination and assessment, the gingival grafting procedure may be recommended. The tissue used may be obtained from:
- An area next to the recession.
- The hard palate (most common).
- Donated human tissue that has been medically processed.
Procedure and Recovery
Grafting procedures are typically carried out under local anesthesia and are generally pain-free. An example is a free gingival graft, which is very predictable and often used simply to prevent further recession without completely covering the root surface. If the objective is to cover root surfaces, the procedure is more complicated but still very successful.
You should experience very little discomfort after the surgery, even at the donor site (which is usually covered by a soothing, liquid band-aid-like material). Any discomfort can be alleviated with over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medication, and it is generally short-lived. A soft diet (and an antibiotic) may also be recommended for about a week to allow the tissues to heal fully.
Keeping Your Gums Healthy
Following a gum graft, it’s more important than ever to practice good oral hygiene. Your regimen should include:
- Proper brushing with fluoride toothpaste.
- Daily flossing.
- A healthy diet.
- Regular dental and periodontal checkups.
Maintaining healthy gums is a key to keeping up your overall oral health—and preserving your smile.