What is Gum Graft Surgery?

Receding gums can be caused by a couple of things – brushing too hard and periodontal disease. Consistently brushing too hard will help to wear away your gums. Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that can cause serious damage to your gums, jawbone, and teeth. The disease starts out as gingivitis and then progresses slowly to become periodontitis.

Gum disease is primarily caused by a lack of proper dental care. In the early stages, about the only symptoms you will see are gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, and they will be red or inflamed. When it is in this stage, you usually can eradicate it by brushing twice a day and flossing.

As the disease progresses, you will begin to see other symptoms. Among them, you will notice that your gums will start to recede. This will make them look longer than normal and they will not be as attractive. Receding gums present a problem because it exposes the roots of your teeth. Once this occurs, the bacteria that cause cavities now have access to the roots and cavities will develop because the roots are not as well protected by enamel as the crowns of your teeth. This can lead to badly decayed teeth, which can result in a need for fillings, root canals, or extractions. Teeth can also become sensitive to hot and cold.

In order to protect your teeth from further damage, gum graft surgery (also called a gingival graft) becomes necessary. This is because gums do not regrow. This procedure will recover the roots of your teeth, and give your gums that appear healthier and nicer to look at – which enables you to have a better-looking smile.

Before the gums can be repaired, the dentist needs to get rid of the bacteria that are causing periodontitis, or the problem will only continue. Once that is completed, the gum surgery can take place. There are three types of gum graft surgery. They include:

• Connective-tissue grafts – This technique is the most common. The periodontist will open a flap in the roof of your mouth, and then remove an underlying layer of tissue, and then suture the flap closed. The tissue is then placed where needed to replace lost gum tissue.
• Free gingival graft – This type of graft removes tissue from the roof of your mouth, and then stitches it in place to cover the tooth roots. This type of surgery is more common when you have a thin gum tissue.
• Pedicle graft – In this type of gum graft, the periodontist will make a flap in your gums next to the receded area. The flap is then pulled over the area in need and sutured in place.

In most cases, a local anesthesia is used to numb the area. This enables a patient to leave right away once the surgery has been completed. The surgery will likely take up to an hour and a half.

After the treatment, you can expect to have some pain. You will be given a prescription for it, which you will take before the anesthesia wears off. You will also have a bandage placed over the graft site to help keep infection out while it heals.

Instructions will also be given to:

• Avoid brushing or flossing at the surgery site – you will use a special antimicrobial mouthwash instead
• Take prescribed antibiotics to help prevent infection
• Eat only soft foods such as yogurt, soft cheese, ice cream, pasta, soft vegetables, jello, and eggs
• Stay away from foods and drinks that are hot
• Do not perform strenuous exercises for 24 hours
• Avoid smoking – it slows the healing process.

The success rate of gum graft surgery is quite high. You can expect it normally take between one to two weeks to heal. Most people are able to return to work the following day. Once it has healed, maintaining healthy oral habits of brushing twice a day and flossing will enable your gums to stay healthy for a long time.

Once the gum graft surgery has been completed, there are some benefits you will have as a result. They include:

• Removal of gum disease
• Protection for your tooth roots
• Desensitizing your teeth hot or cold foods
• Gums that are even and more pleasant to look at
• You will look younger and have a more pleasant smile