Tissue graft

 


A gum graft may be necessary to protect your teeth from the damaging effects of gum recession, or to improve the appearance of the smile. Gum recession is a process in which the tissue that surrounds the teeth pulls away from the tooth, exposing more of the tooth or tooth’s root causing damage to the surrounding bone. However people don’t even notice that their gums are receded because it’s a gradual process. This can cause tooth sensitivity especially when eating hot or cold foods. Eventually gum recession if not treated leads to tooth loss. To repair the damage and prevent further dental problems, a gum tissue graft may be needed.

Procedural types of Gum tissue grafts: Three different types of gum tissue grafts are performed. The graft procedures include:
1. Connective tissue graft: This is he most common method used to treat root exposure. In this procedure, a flap of skin is cut at the roof of the mouth (palate) and tissue from under the flap, called sub-epithelial connective tissue, is removed and attached to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed root. After the connective tissue, the graft has been removed from under the palatal flap, the flap is stitched back down.
2. Free Gingival grafts: Free gingival grafts also involves the use of connective tissue from the roof of the mouth. But instead of making a flap and removing tissue under the top layer of flesh, a small amount of tissue is removed directly from the roof of the mouth and then attached to the gum area being treated.
3. Pedicle grafts: In this procedure, instead of taking tissue from the palate, it is grafted from gum around or near the tooth needing repair. The flap called pedicle is only partially cut away so that one edge remains attached. The gum is then pulled over or down to cover the exposed root and sutured into place. This procedure can only be done in people who have plenty of gum tissue near the tooth.

Recovery from gum tissue graft: This is an out patient procedure and can go home following the surgery. The post operative care instructions should be followed such as diet, physical activity and medications (pain relievers and antibiotics) to reduce the risk of infection.
Call or consult the dentist if there is more pain, swelling and bruising than expected or if bleeding don’t stop even after applying pressure for 20 minutes.

About the author:

: Dr. Abhilash Dandy

: B.D.S

I graduated as a Dentist from Sibar Institute of Dental Sciences, Guntur. I have done my externship program at Rutgers school of dental medicine, New Jersey, USA. I have clinical experience of 3 years and currently working as Administrative head — Dental wing in MediCub India, Hyderabad.

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