If you have suffered from advanced gum disease, you may need more invasive treatment to restore the health of your gums, even after your dental professional eradicates the infection. You may require surgery to bring structure back to your gum tissue. One example of this intensive periodontal treatment is a gum graft.
This surgery involves taking tissue from another part of your mouth and securing it to your gums to add stability to the vulnerable area. Depending on your unique dental needs, your gum surgeon can recommend different versions of this procedure. Read on to learn more about the types of gum grafts your periodontist can provide and how they can help you restore your smile.
Connective Tissue Graft
A common type of gum graft that your periodontist may suggest is a connective tissue graft. It derives its name from the type of tissue taken during this treatment. The surgeon removes tissue from under a flap in the palate of your mouth.
They then move this tissue to the problematic area of your gums. They stitch it into place and close the flap at the top of the mouth to finish the surgery.
Dental professionals employ this treatment for patients suffering from tooth root exposure after gum disease. This new tissue will cover these roots. The restoration will alleviate uncomfortable symptoms like tooth sensitivity and shield the roots from plaque and other residues.
Free Gingival Graft
A free gingival gum graft is similar to a connective tissue graft. It also moves tissue from the top of the mouth to the gum line to add more structure to the area. While connective tissue grafts are often reserved for patients with major tissue damage from advanced gum disease, free gingival grafts offer more precise gum enhancement treatment.
This type of surgery helps patients with thinning or receding gums. They can have a more fine-tuned solution to their gum concerns with this treatment. The procedure uses a smaller amount of tissue, requiring less than a flap at the mouth’s palate. Therefore, the surgeon can make more minute changes to the patient’s gums. This treatment offers better cosmetic advantages in this case than the connective tissue graft.
Pedical Graft
In a pedical gum graft, a surgeon will utilize the patient’s gum tissue from near the problematic area of the gums. They create a flap, as they would with a connective tissue graft. But this time it is not at the roof of the mouth. The surgeon moves healthy gum tissue and reattaches it to a separate section of the gums that requires more support.
Periodontists like this type of gum graft because it will not disrupt blood flow in the mouth. The patient must have enough gum tissue intact to relocate to another section of the mouth in order for this treatment to succeed. Your dental professional can check your eligibility for this type of gum graft during a periodontal evaluation appointment.