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Soft Tissue GraftsIf you suffer gum recession, the roots of your teeth end up being exposed. This condition can occur for a number of reasons including periodontal (gum) disease or overzealous tooth brushing. The result can be a sensitivity to hot or cold at the site of the exposed roots or simply an unattractive look that you would like to improve. Our doctors can identify the cause of your gum recession and help you to learn ways to stop its progression. We also can perform soft tissue grafts to cover the exposed roots, return your comfort and enhance your smile. This procedure will protect the roots and help to prevent further recession and the bone loss that can follow. Soft tissue grafts are sometimes also used to plump up gums that are small in size in order to provide good aesthetic symmetry between the teeth and gums and/or to accommodate a successful cosmetic dental procedure. The doctor will utilize gum tissue from your palate or from another donor source to cover the exposed root. The procedure can be performed for one tooth or for several, as necessary. Soft tissue grafts allow our doctors to repair areas where the gum has receded, exposing the root of the tooth. This can occur for a number of reasons; most commonly, as a result of periodontal (gum) disease or overly aggressive tooth brushing. After helping you to identify the cause of your gum recession and the things that you can do to prevent it from progressing, our doctors can perform a soft tissue graft to repair the gum that has already receded from the tooth. There are three different types of soft tissue grafts:
Using a free gingival graft, the doctor removes a small strip of tissue from the roof of the mouth. The graft is then sutured in the area being treated for gum recession. This procedure is most often used for cases where the patient has "small" gums which have developed naturally with minimal tissue. The graft allows the gum to be plumped up for a more aesthetically balanced appearance or to accommodate further cosmetic dental treatment. When a connective tissue graft is performed, a small flap (known as the epithelial layer of the skin) is cut from the roof of the mouth to allow the doctor to remove underlying tissue (known as sub-epithelial connective tissue) for the graft. The flap is then closed with sutures. The doctor uses the connective tissue that was taken and slips it under the gum tissue surrounding the exposed tooth root, anchoring it with sutures. This is the procedure used most by our doctors to treat gum recession around exposed tooth roots. With a pedicle graft, a flap of tissue around a tooth adjacent to the one being treated is partially cut away, leaving one end still attached. This flap of tissue is known as a pedicle. The pedicle is subsequently slid to the side to cover the root that is exposed and is stitched in place. Pedicle grafts have the advantage of retaining some of the blood vessels from the original site to feed the grafted area. Pedicle grafts are not used as often as connective tissue grafts, however, because there must be sufficient gum tissue to "share" from the around the adjacent tooth and this is not always the case. After Your ProcedureFollowing your soft tissue graft procedure, the doctor will give you a prescription for pain medication to aid with any discomfort. It is very import to keep your mouth clean after treatment to prevent infection and promote healing. You'll need to continue to brush and floss all of your untreated teeth. Chlorhexidine-containing mouth rinse will be prescribed to assist in plaque control during healing. There is usually no need for antibiotics but if the doctor feels it is necessary, you will receive a prescription for that medication also. The doctor will be sure to discuss the oral home care and professional dental hygiene necessary to keep your gums healthy and to prevent future gum recession. After soft tissue grafting, sensitivity to temperature will be relieved with the root now covered by gum tissue and your smile will look natural and healthy. |