INFORMATION about RECESSION and GRAFTS for ROOT COVERAGE

Recession: If the gum tissue covering the roots of your teeth recedes, then the roots of the teeth become exposed. Recession can occur for several reasons such as improper tooth brushing or periodontal (gum) disease. Sometimes recession includes the loss of the specialized thick, strong gum tissue that normally surrounds the top of the roots near the crowns of the teeth. If this gum tissue is lost, 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.

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. If the exposed roots are sensitive, our Hygienist may provide special treatments such as fluorides which help reduce sensitivity over time.

Many cases of recession require only ongoing monitoring without further treatment and your Doctor will advise you.

Grafts for Covering Exposed Root(s): Your Periodontist may recommend a grafting procedure to repair the recession defect by covering the exposed root. This procedure is called a Root Coverage 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 to the area of recession. In many occasions, it may be suggested that a donor gum graft is used. This donor graft would be purchased by our practice prior to your procedure date.

It is important to remember that NOT all cases of recession can be treated with Root Coverage Grafts and this will depend upon the amount of recession and bone loss, shape of the root and location of the tooth. As well, Root Coverage Grafts may NOT completely cover or eliminate the recession; no guarantees may be given as to the amount of root coverage that will be obtained from the root coverage grafting procedure. In some instances, more than one grafting procedure may be required.

Root Coverage Grafting will increase the amount of thick, strong gum tissue around the tooth/teeth that were treated and this will help in preventing further recession. In many cases, Root Coverage Grafting will cover the exposed root so that root sensitivity is reduced and the appearance of the treated tooth/teeth is improved.

After the grafting surgery, it is very important for you to follow the Post-operative Instructions that our office will provide you with after your Root Coverage Graft. You must perform excellent oral hygiene during the healing phase of the graft so that the grafted tissue will heal and mature properly and completely blend into the surrounding gum tissue.