To keep your teeth and dental implants healthy, they require enough gum tissue and bone. Without it, they can become vulnerable to oral bacteria and stress.
We can regenerate lost gum tissue to reduce tooth sensitivity and improve the appearance of your smile. We can also use it to reduce the need for orthodontic expansion during braces treatment or to treat gum recession caused by dental implants.
What is a Tissue Graft?
If you have a thinning or receding gum line, a tissue graft can help restore the health of your smile. The procedure is minimally invasive, taking only about an hour to perform and completed under local anesthesia. You will feel no pain or discomfort post-procedure, and you may return to your normal routine immediately.
The most commonly performed gum tissue graft is the connective tissue graft, during which your periodontist Austin, opens a small flap on the roof of your mouth (the palate) and takes tissue from underneath the flap to the area of thinning or receding gums where it’s needed. They then stitch it in place to thicken the gums and provide root coverage.
Another type of tissue graft is the pedicle graft, which involves less invasive surgery. With this treatment, we remove gum tissue from the area around a tooth or teeth where the graft is needed instead of from the palate. This allows us to reposition the gums for improved esthetic results and alleviate uncomfortable symptoms like sensitivity or root exposure.
How Does a Tissue Graft Work?
Gum tissue grafting is a quick and relatively easy procedure in the office. We use local anesthesia to numb the area, and the surgery typically takes no more than 1.5 hours.
During this treatment, we take gum tissue from the roof of your mouth and stitch it to the affected area. This helps to thicken the gums and covers exposed tooth roots.
In some cases, we will use a technique called pedicle grafting. In this case, a flap is partially cut, keeping one edge attached, and the existing gum tissue is moved to cover the root.
This is usually done in cases where gum recession is extensive, and the existing gums are not strong enough to support a free gingival graft. In these cases, we may use soft tissue from a donor site like the palate or a biocompatible animal source. This is a very safe and reliable technique.
What Are the Benefits of a Tissue Graft?
Healthy gum tissue protects against oral bacteria and stresses caused by everyday activities like chewing and tooth brushing. Without sufficient gum tissue, teeth can become loose and exposed, causing painful tooth sensitivity and dental implant failure.
A connective tissue graft Pflugerville is an effective treatment for gum disease, which starts as gingivitis and progresses to periodontitis, a condition that exposes the tooth’s roots and makes it susceptible to decay, infection, and tooth loss. A gum graft can restore the gum line to its natural appearance, crucial for a healthy smile and strong jawbone.
Patients should follow the dentist’s instructions carefully after a gum graft to prevent complications, such as infections and excessive bleeding. This includes eating soft and cool foods and not brushing the graft site until the dentist says it is safe. It is also a good idea to rinse the mouth with a special mouthwash to control plaque.
Is a Tissue Graft Right for Me?
If you have gum disease that has caused tissue loss, a gum graft will help restore your natural smile. It can also reduce tooth sensitivity and prevent further damage to your soft tissue and bone.
The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia and lasts under two hours. The site where the graft was taken from your palate (donor site) may feel sensitive for a few days but should heal quickly. Eating only soft foods like yogurt, cooked vegetables, ice cream, and scrambled eggs is recommended during this time.
The three main types of grafting procedures are free gingival grafts, pedicle grafts, and connective tissue grafts. Free gingival grafts use healthy gum tissue from the roof of your mouth and stitch it to the affected area.
Pedicle grafts use existing gum tissue partially cut from around the affected tooth and sewn in place. For more advanced cases, proteins that stimulate the body’s ability to grow bone and tissue are used instead of donor tissue.