INFORMATION about GINGIVAL (gum) GRAFTS

The roots of your teeth are generally surrounded by a specialized tough, thick gum tissue.  The amount and thickness of this gum tissue can vary so that some teeth may have very little or even no gum tissue.  As well, if the gum tissue covering the roots of your teeth recedes to expose the roots of the teeth (recession), then there has been a loss of some of this gum tissue.  If the gum tissue is lost completely, only soft lining tissue may be present over the root and this soft lining tissue is not as resistant as gum tissue is to the forces of tooth brushing.

Recession can occur for several reasons such as improper tooth brushing or periodontal (gum) disease. Due to recession, the teeth will appear longer and the exposed root surfaces may be sensitive to hot, cold or sweet substances and to tooth brushing.  Your Periodontist will identify the possible reasons why recession has occurred on your teeth. If the exposed roots are sensitive, your Periodontist/Hygienist may provide special treatments such as fluorides which help reduce sensitivity over time. 

Gingival Graft:  Your Periodontist may recommend a grafting procedure to increase the band of specialized thick, strong gum tissue around your roots.  This procedure is called a Gingival Graft. Gum tissue is taken from an area of your mouth such as the roof of your mouth or from another area where there is abundant gum tissue.  This removal of gum tissue will not damage the teeth or gum from where the gum tissue is taken. The harvested gum tissue is then transplanted around the roots of teeth requiring additional gum tissue. 

Gingival Grafting will increase the amount of thick, strong gum tissue around the tooth/teeth that were treated and this will help in preventing recession.  If recession was present before the Gingival Grafting surgery, recession will still be present after the Gingival Grafting surgery.  It is important to remember that Gingival Grafting will NOT cover the exposed roots.   Depending upon the grafting technique required in your particular situation, the location and outline of the grafted tissue may remain visible after healing of the graft is complete. However, the appearance of the graft is not usually a cosmetic concern as the grafted sites are usually located along root surfaces which are below the level of your lips and cheeks.

After the grafting surgery, it is very important for you to follow the Post-Operative Instructions.  You must perform excellent oral hygiene during the healing phase of the graft so that the grafted tissue will heal and mature properly.