Do Gums Grow Back After Bone Graft?
If you’ve been told you need a bone graft before getting a dental implant or to treat gum disease, you may be wondering not only how the bone will mend, but what happens to your gums. After all, gum health and appearance matter just as much as the underlying jawbone. Here’s a look at what really goes on with your gums during and after a bone-grafting procedure, and whether you can expect them to “grow back.”
Bone Grafts vs. Gum Grafts
While bone grafting and gum grafting are both “grafts,” they target different layers: one rebuilds jawbone, the other restores the gum line. Bone and gum tissues are very different, and they heal in distinct ways. Bone regeneration happens slowly, over three to six months (or longer), as new mineralized tissue grows into the graft material. Gums (or gingiva), on the other hand, are soft tissue, which typically heals much faster than bone (as long as you keep the area clean and follow after-care instructions).
When you lose a tooth or suffer advanced gum disease, the jawbone beneath that site can shrink away, leaving an unstable foundation for implants or even neighboring teeth. A bone graft uses harvested or synthetic material to rebuild the bony ridge. During the procedure, your periodontist lifts your gum tissue, places the graft material against the existing bone, and then stitches the gum back into place. Over the next several months, your body gradually replaces the graft scaffold with natural bone.
After a bone graft, your gums do “grow back” over the surgical site, creating a protective seal over the graft material. However, if receding gums were your concern to begin with, a bone graft alone isn’t designed to push gum tissue back over exposed tooth roots. For gum recession specifically, dentists often recommend a gum graft (or connective tissue graft) instead. In this procedure, soft tissue is taken—often from the roof of your mouth—and stitched over the receded area to thicken and cover the root.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
Some advanced periodontal treatments combine bone grafting with a technique called guided tissue regeneration (GTR). After placing the graft, the dentist inserts a tiny membrane between the bone and gum. This barrier keeps fast-growing gum tissue out of the bone graft site, and at the same time gives bone cells room and time to regenerate undisturbed.
Once the membrane dissolves—or is removed in a follow-up—the gum will have healed above, and the bone will have had a chance to grow below.
Tips for Healthy Gum Healing
The most effective strategy for preventing bone loss is to proactively manage gum disease—in other words, brush, floss, and rinse regularly, and follow any other instructions your dentist might have to promote healing. In general, after any oral grafting operation, it is advisable to:
- Stick to soft foods, and avoid chewing anything crunchy or chewy that might tug at sutures.
- Skip tobacco, as smoking slows the processes of both gum and bone regeneration.
- Attend all follow-ups, so your dentist can monitor soft-tissue and bone integration.
By following your dentist’s care plan, you can look forward to a healthy foundation for dental implants to come and pave the way for a full, confident smile.