When are Gum Grafts Recommended?

Over time and through attrition, gums can recess. This means they no longer fit the teeth properly, exposing the crowns or even the roots. Because the soft tissues are so subtle, many people do not know they have gum recession until it’s already time for gum grafts.

Cases in which gum recession has not occurred, but gum grafts are needed anyway, can be the installation of dental implants or dental crowns. Certain teeth require more coverage by the soft tissues than others.

According to our expert in gum grafts in North Hollywood, the three common types of gingival grafts are as follows:

·         Connective-tissue—a flap of skin is cut from the roof of the mouth, and tissue from under it is stitched to the relevant gum area.

·         Free-gingival—tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth, but without removing the flap of skin, and stitched to the relevant gum area.

·         Pedicle—tissue is taken from the surrounding gum and added to the surgical site.

·         If a patient lacks viable donor tissue, it is also possible to graft using a biomaterial, as long as there is sufficient tissue at the graft site.

·         Gum graft surgery has a high success rate, particularly when any interdental bone loss is minimal.

Contact our dentists in North Hollywood for more information.