When you look in the mirror, can you see some of the roots of your teeth? Your gums may be receding. The potential problems of gum recession aren’t just cosmetic; they can also impact your oral health. In a healthy mouth, the tooth roots are not exposed. If the roots are exposed, it’s usually a sign of one of these problems:
- Gingivitis or periodontitis
- Brushing too hard
- Foreign object in the mouth
- Tooth developed outside the jaw bone
How Is It Done?
A thin piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth, or gently moved over from adjacent areas to provide a stable band of attached gingival or mucosa (gums) in the defective area. The gingival graft may be placed in such a way as to cover the exposed portion of a tooth root, lip, palate or cheek.
The gingival graft procedure is highly predictable and results in stable healthy and aesthetic tissue where necessary. These tissue grafts are utilized around natural teeth and or dental implants.
What To Expect?
If you have exposed tooth roots, it’s important to see our dentist at Castlemore Dental. After a thorough examination and assessment, we may recommend you a soft tissue graft called gingival graft. The periodontist will remove tissue from one part of your mouth and transplant it to cover the exposed tooth root. The tissue replacement procedure typically takes about an hour to perform, and are generally pain-free under local anesthesia.
Your body’s natural recovery process will help integrate the graft into the surrounding tissue. We may recommend a soft diet and an antibiotic for a few days afterwards, but otherwise, your normal activities will not be limited.