Gum Grafting

When the gum tissues pull away from the teeth (gum recession), the body loses a natural defense against bacterial invasion and trauma. When gum recession is a problem, reconstruction with gum grafting can fix it.

​

In minor cases, when there is minimal gum recession, some healthy gum tissues often remain and protect the tooth so no other treatment other than modifying your oral hygiene technique is necessary. 

However, when gum recession is severe, resilient gum tissues are lost and the first line of defense against bacterial invasion is gone. This often results in tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods, red and puffy gum tissues, as well as a displeasing appearance of the gum and tooth. In addition, the softer root surfaces of the tooth are exposed, which are more prone to cavities and root gouging from toothbrushing.

​

A gum graft is a highly predictable technique designed to solve these problems. A thin piece of tissue is taken from the roof of your mouth to provide a stable band of resilient gum tissue around the tooth. This graft can be placed over the exposed tooth root to restore the lost gum tissue. In a matter of weeks the graft is mature.