Most people disregard the condition of their gums since they assume the teeth are the only essential elements in their dental health. There are different issues that might affect your gums, but the one that has the highest aesthetic and functional impact is gum recession.
This is also called a gingival recession and occurs when your gum tissue sinks, thus exposing your dental roots. It is generally a consequence of aggressive brushing, advanced periodontitis, smoking, lip and tongue piercings, and genetic predisposition.
The primary treatment option available for gum recession at a cosmetic dentistry clinic in Meridian is gum grafting. During the surgical procedure, the dentist will take tissue usually from your mouth’s roof then attach it to the remaining gum tissue to cover your exposed roots.
The following are the common gum tissue grafts for gum recession.
Connective Tissue Grafts
Connective tissue grafting is the standard procedure used for the treatment of gum recession. During your procedure, a flap is cut from your palate. Tissue from the underside of the flap known as sub epithelial connective tissue is then removed and stitched to the site of gum recession.
After harvesting of the sub epithelial connective tissue, the flap is re-stitched to the palate.
Free Gingival Grafts
In free gingival grafting, graft tissue is also harvested from your mouth’s palate. Rather than making a flap like in connective tissue grafting, however, the tissue is directly collected from the palate then attached to the area being treated.
Free gingival grafts are generally used for patients who have very thin gums since the grafts have more tissue compared to those used in connective tissue grafting. Other than covering exposed roots, therefore, the grafts will also increase the gums’ surface area.
Pedicle Grafts
In pedicle grafting, the tissue is harvested from the gums surrounding the teeth with exposed roots. The flap known as a pedicle is cut away partially, and one border remains attached. This flap will then be pulled down or over the recessed gum then stitched into place.
Pedicle grafting is the gum grafting procedure of choice in people with a lot of gum tissue around the exposed root.
Allograft
In allografting, the tissue used for grafting is donated from another person rather than harvested from the patient. The graft tissue undergoes various tests and treatments to guarantee it is safe and does not react with the patient’s tissues.
The primary benefit of allografts over other gum grafts is that it negates the harvesting procedure and surgery takes a short time. You will also only have one wound to nurse in the graft site rather than two from the harvest and donor sites.
You might consider the above types of gum grafts unnecessary. The surgeries, however, help to avert the advancement of gum recession and eventual jawbone loss and protect your dental roots. They will also promote an even gum line, thus making your gums aesthetically pleasing.
Gum grafting is the key you need to have the freedom to eat anything without contending with the pain of tooth sensitivity since, with the covering of the roots, dental sensitivity is reduced.
