Soft Tissue Grafts / Gum Grafting

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Soft Tissue Grafts / Gum Grafting

Receding gums result in exposure of tooth roots.

There are many reasons why Gums recede, and these include aggressive tooth brushing, incorrect orthodontic movements, faulty preparations for restorations or periodontal disease. You may not be in control of what has caused the recession, but prior to treatment your periodontist can help you identify the factors contributing to the problem.

When your gums recede, the exposed roots can impair the esthetic appearance of your smile as well as be sensitive to hot or cold foods and liquids.

Furthermore, bacteria can be collected into the crevices and spaces between your teeth, and this can cause cavities and tooth damage, including tooth loss.

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If you wish to enhance your smile by covering one or more of these roots that make your teeth appear too long, Gum Grafting is a successful treatment option. Gum grafts are used to cover roots or to develop gum tissue where absent due to excessive gingival recession. During this procedure, your periodontist takes gum tissue from your palate or another donor source to cover the exposed root. This procedure will repair the defect and help to prevent additional recession and bone loss. When exposed roots are covered by a gum graft, they are protected from decaying and wearing down. This can reduce tooth sensitivity and improve esthetics of your smile. The procedure can be performed for one tooth or several teeth in order to level your gum line 

Frequently asked questions

Is it Painful?
The surgery is not painful, it is performed under local anesthesia. After the surgery, there can be a mild sensitivity for a few days.

Will I be all swollen?
No. Mild swelling may occur on the local site, but not major swelling.

Do I need time off work?
No, but we recommend that this type of procedures are scheduled at the end of the working week, for more comfort for the patient.

Can I smoke?
Although smoking is not an absolute contra-indication, it is a major one. We recommend that patients completely quit smoking or severely reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke.