Gum grafting refers to a category of surgical periodontal procedures that aims to protect your smile from the damaging effects of gum recession. There are two main types of gum grafting surgery: free gingival graft and connective tissue graft.
The type of graft recommended depends on your tissue thickness, whether the tooth root is exposed, the degree of gum disease, and your specific clinical needs.
This graft is designed to thicken thinning gums when there is no tooth root exposure. By thickening the gum tissue, your gums become more resistant to infection. The free gingival graft also helps prevent further gum recession.
This graft is designed to treat cases where the tooth root has been exposed. The graft covers the exposed tissue and helps reestablish proper gum contours within the mouth. The success of the connective tissue graft typically depends on the amount of bone loss in the area where the exposure has occurred.
Both free gingival grafting and connective tissue grafting serve the purpose of treating gum disease and protecting vulnerable areas of the smile. The type of gum grafting used depends on each unique situation, the degree of gum disease, and your specific needs.
During the procedure, your dentist may provide anesthesia to alleviate pain. As a result, you will need someone to take you to and from your appointment. We recommend taking any prescribed medication and antibiotics to relieve soreness and manage bacteria.
Please avoid brushing and flossing the treated area to allow it time to heal. For approximately one week, you should eat soft foods such as ice cream and cheese in the days following your procedure. You will fully heal within a week of surgery and can return to basic activities soon after.
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