Gum Graft

Gum Recession: Who Needs a Gum Graft?

Gum is the pink tissue that surrounds the necks of the teeth, framing them for a perfect smile. Any abnormalities in the gum tissue can affect your smile.

Gum recession is a condition in which the gum tissue detaches from the tooth, causing the gum line to shift to a lower position than usual, thereby exposing the tooth root. This exposure can lead to poor aesthetics, as the affected tooth may appear longer than normal. Additionally, it can increase tooth sensitivity and heighten the risk of decay.

Gum recession is most commonly a sign of chronic periodontal disease , which destroys the tooth’s supportive structures, leading to bone resorption and gum recession. Advanced periodontal diseases that result in gum recession may be triggered by:

• Poor oral hygiene, which leads to the accumulation of plaque and tartar.
• Improper brushing technique.
• Smoking.
• Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy.
• Uncontrolled diabetes, which significantly increases the risk of developing gum disease and can lead to delayed healing.

Genetics may also contribute to gum recession. Some individuals possess naturally thin gum tissue, which is highly sensitive and tends to recede in response to various stimuli.

Gum grafts performed by our expert periodontists have a high success rate. They help cover exposed roots, restore your smile, and improve overall oral health.

Benefits Of Gum Graft

Restores your beautiful smile by restoring the evenness of your gum line.

Restores oral health and reduces the risk of further gum disease progression.

Decrease the risk of decay

Eliminates teeth sensitivity.

Types Of Gum Graft

Usually, the gum graft is collected from another site in the oral cavity, most commonly the palate, as it contains thick, soft tissues. But in some cases, the graft is received from a tissue bank. The gums are formed of two layers: a superficial keratinised layer that appears in the oral cavity, and a thick deeper connective tissue layer that contains the nerve and blood supply to the gums. There are several types of gum grafts, including:

1. Connective tissue graft
   

This is the most common type of gum graft. The graft tissue collected consists solely of the deeper connective tissue, while the superficial epithelial layer remains intact. At the donor site, typically the palate, a flap is created to elevate the superficial gum layer and expose the underlying connective tissue. The periodontist then excises the necessary amount of connective tissue and sutures the superficial layer back in place.

2. Free gingival graft
   

A free gingival graft is similar to a connective tissue graft. The only difference is that the collected graft tissue includes the full thickness of soft tissue, including the superficial and deeper layers. This technique is used in cases with thin gums to give more bulk to the tissue and prevent future recession.

3. Pedicle graft
   

In the pedicle graft, the graft tissue is not collected from a distant site. The graft tissue is collected from the adjacent tooth. A suture is made, and the superficial gum layer is flipped to the side to cover the receded part of the neighbouring tooth. The flap is free from one side, and the other side remains attached; this is why it is called a pedicle graft. This procedure is performed only in people with thick gum tissue and healthy gums in the neighbouring teeth. This is the most successful type of gum graft because the blood supply is not cut off from the graft tissue.

4. Allograft
   

Allograft eliminates the need for a second surgical site to collect the gum graft. The gum graft is sourced from a tissue bank with specifications tailored to your case, minimising the risk of graft rejection. This technique is used in limited circumstances where performing multiple surgeries is not indicated or where there is a high risk of infection or delayed healing.

After a thorough examination, our dental experts can determine the most appropriate type of gum graft for your situation.

Gum Graft Procedure at Dulwich Dental Office

If you are experiencing gum recession, our dental experts will refer you for a consultation with our periodontists. During this consultation, our specialists will review your medical and dental history, and they will inquire about your hygiene routine to identify the underlying cause of your gum recession.

In some instances, if there is plaque and tartar buildup, you may be referred for a hygiene visit to remove any sources of periodontal inflammation and to create the best conditions for recovery. Once your periodontal health is restored, you can schedule gum graft surgery to restore your smile. The periodontist will assess the extent of the recession and choose the most appropriate gum graft solution for your case. There are no special precautions to take before your surgery other than maintaining your oral hygiene.

With over 50 years of experience, Dulwich Dental Office has established a world-class periodontal department equipped with the latest tools and technologies, managed by highly skilled periodontists experienced in treating advanced periodontal diseases and their respective solutions, including gum grafts. Gum graft surgery is a straightforward procedure that lasts about one hour. During this time:

1. Local anesthesia is administered to the tooth with gum recession and the area from which the graft will be obtained.

2. If you experience fear or anxiety, our experts may provide sedation options to ensure your comfort during the procedure.

3. Once you are comfortable and the operative site is numbed, an incision is made in the tooth with gum recession to expose and clean the roots, preparing the site to receive the graft.

4. Next, our periodontal surgeons will harvest the graft, typically from the hard palate. An incision is made to remove the required amount and thickness of tissue based on the planned type of graft, whether it is a connective tissue graft or a free gingival graft. After the tissue is harvested, the edges are sutured back.

5. The graft tissue is placed over the root of the tooth with gum recession and sutured in a way that promotes good vascularisation to ensure graft success.

6. A special dressing is applied to cover the graft site, which may fall out within a few days or be removed by our experts at your next follow-up visit.

Recovery Following Gum Graft

During the first few days after your surgery, it is common to experience some pain, bleeding, and swelling.

The bleeding may last for the first 48 hours, while the swelling may continue for up to a week. These symptoms can be managed using the prescribed medications.

For a smooth recovery, our expert periodontists will advise you to maintain your oral hygiene routine, except in the surgical area. Do not brush or floss the teeth involved in the gum graft surgery until our experts confirm it is safe, as this may disturb the healing graft.

Brush and floss your other teeth as usual. Our experts will prescribe an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce the risk of infection in the graft.

Until the gum graft has fully healed, you should avoid hard foods that could damage the graft tissue. Follow a soft diet that includes eggs, yoghurt, ice cream, cheese, and well-cooked, tender vegetables.

The healing process will take approximately two weeks. Once our expert periodontist confirms that the graft has fully healed, you can resume normal brushing, flossing, and eating without limitations.

Factors Affecting the Success of Gum Graft

1. Oral hygiene: Keeping a healthy oral environment is the main prerequisite for the success of a gum graft. It is essential to maintain daily brushing and flossing.
2. Smoking: Tobacco and tobacco products decrease the blood flow, increasing the risk for infection and impairing healing.
3. General health: Some medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, may impair the healing of the gum graft and increase the chance of failure.
4. Sticking to recovery instructions: Following the recovery instructions explained by our expert periodontists is essential for graft success.
5. Blood supply: Proper harvesting of the gum graft and meticulous suturing facilitate adequate vascularisation of the graft during the healing process, thereby enhancing the chances for success.
6. Type of graft: Grafts collected from the patient have a higher success rate than allografts received from tissue banks.

Risks And Complications of Gum Graft

Complications following a gum graft surgery are rare. They may include infection, excessive bleeding, swelling, or graft rejection.

Ig you notice that the graft tissue becomes white, this means that the graft tissue has lost its vascularisation and is being rejected.

If you experience persistent pain, swelling, or bleeding, fever, or pus oozing from the graft site, book an emergency visit with our experts immediately.