Gum grafting is a dental surgery that adds new tissue layers to weak parts of the mouth to strengthen them. Usually, this substance originates from a previously numbed area of the patient’s mouth. Gum grafting is done to stop the gums from receding. This article teaches us about the types of gum grafts used at a dental clinic in Lansing, MI, and their procedures.
Types of Gum Grafts
There are three different options when it comes to gum grafting:
- Connective tissue grafts
- Pedicle grafts
- Free gingival grafts
Connective tissue grafts include harvesting tissue from a flap in the patient’s palate or roof of the mouth. The flap is sutured once this area has been made numb. Similar steps are followed for free gingival transplants, however, instead of using a flap, the tissue is removed straight from the palate. Lastly, the tissue used in pedicle transplants comes directly from the gums.
Gingival grafts are frequently used when gum health may be restored with a small quantity of tissue. Conversely, pedicle grafts are only performed on individuals who have sufficient gum tissue accessible.
What is the procedure for gum grafting?
The fact that a gum transplant requires very little preparation is one of its interesting aspects. All that has to be done is consult with a periodontist to assess the extent of the recession issue and choose the best gum grafting technique. Patients only need to arrange for a means of transport to and from the dentist clinic, as the combination of anesthesia, post-op medicine, and mild discomfort might make being alone or driving risky. There are no dietary restrictions or medications to take before the procedure.
To numb the area, a local anesthetic will be administered. In other cases, a general anesthetic could be given in its place, particularly if the patient is anxious and would find it easier to fall asleep. The gum grafting procedure itself is rapid since the periodontist has already chosen the donor tissue to be harvested and marked out the grafting site. After the graft is placed and the sutures are in place, patients will be encouraged to wash their mouths with an antimicrobial mouthwash. To make sure everything went smoothly, the periodontist could also advise patients to hold off for an hour or two following the graft.
The periodontist will walk the patient through the gum graft procedure at the first consultation. If any of the warning signs of gum recession have shown, schedule an appointment immediately soon. Gum recession will get worse with time if treatment is not received.
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