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What Can Be Done About Gum Tissue Loss?

Losing your gum tissue gradually over time is quite common, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Gum tissue doesn’t grow back when it’s lost and it tends to worsen with time, so professional and surgical intervention is necessary to replace it.

Fortunately, at Vecchio Dental Care offer gum tissue grafting as an effective solution to help restore your gum tissue and improve your overall oral health.

What Is Gum Tissue Grafting?

Gum tissue grafting, also called soft tissue augmentation is a supplemental surgical procedure that involves taking tissue from one part of your mouth and attaching it to the affected area to restore your gum line. The tissue is normally taken directly from your mouth to increase the chances of transplant success. Gum grafting is an often necessary procedure in cases of severe gum recession or if your condition prevents you from certain treatments like dental implants.

Common Causes of Gum Recession

Certain factors can increase the rate at which you lose your gums including:

• Periodontal disease
• Poor oral hygiene
• Genetics
• Hormonal changes
• Tobacco use
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Trauma to the gum tissue

The Benefits of Gum Tissue Grafting

Undergoing a gum graft doesn’t just restore your gum line. This procedure also can enhance your oral health and further strengthen your teeth to ensure you have a long-lasting smile.

Some of the benefits of gum tissue grafting include the following:

Reduced Sensitivity: Gum grafts restore the barrier for exposed tooth roots, reducing sensitivity.

Improved Appearance: Restoring your gum tissue helps improve the appearance of your smile by covering exposed tooth roots and giving you a more natural gum line.

Improved Gum Health: Restoring your gum line can improve the health of your smile’s soft tissues and provide further protection against issues including periodontal disease.

Improved Tooth Stability: Replacing lost gum tissue helps to improve the stability of your teeth by protecting the tooth roots and reducing the risk of tooth loss.

Improved Chances of Implant Success: Gum grafting provides the necessary soft tissue needed to make dental implants more stable.

Types of Gum Tissue Grafts

There are different types of gum grafting procedures that your dentist may recommend based on your individual needs.

Connective Tissue Graft

A connective tissue graft involves cutting a small flap into the roof of your mouth and taking tissue from behind the flap. This method is less invasive and is the most commonly performed kind of soft tissue graft.

Free Gingival Graft

A free gingival graft involves taking tissue directly from the roof of your mouth without making a flap to hide the removal site. This is often done when there is a risk of significant recession, as the soft tissue on the roof of your mouth is usually more resilient. However, a free gingival graft doesn’t cover exposed roots and only stops further recession.

Pedicle Graft

Lastly, a pedicle graft involves making a flap in an area where gum tissue is abundant and stretching it to cover an adjacent area where gum tissue is lacking. This method is the least invasive form of gum grafting, as the tissue is simply stretched rather than transplanted. It also preserves blood flow to the tissue, greatly increasing the chances of success.

Who Qualifies For Gum Tissue Grafting?

You may be wondering if you qualify for gum grafting. The best candidates for the procedure usually include individuals who:

• Have varying degrees of gum loss or recession
• Experience sensitivity caused by exposed tooth roots
• Have a high risk of developing future gum recession
• Want to improve the look of their smile due to gum recession
• Have a family history of gum disease or gum recession

If any of the above apply to you, you may be a good candidate for gum grafting. We will evaluate your oral health and medical history at your initial consultation to determine if the procedure is right for you.