What is a Free Gingival Graft Procedure?
The objective and goal of a free gingival graft procedure is to restore a layer of gum, or the gingiva, tissue around a tooth to renew the protective support the gum tissue offers. A free gingival graft is tissue harvested from the roof of your mouth, or your palate. With a free gingival graft procedure, there is no deliberate effort made to cover the exposed root surface. For this reason, free gingival grafts are usually considered for patients who are simply lacking adequate tissue and have not experienced significant gum recession.
What is a Gum Graft?
A gum graft is a common and simple dental surgery. It usually treats gum recession, which is when your gum tissue sags or pulls away from your teeth, exposing the tooth roots that have been below the gumline. Exposed tooth roots will also increase and accelerate your risk of tooth decay, increase sensitivity to both hot and cold, and advance and intensify bone loss around your teeth. Gum grafting replaces the missing tissue around your teeth and improves your overall oral health.
A periodontist usually performs a gum grafting procedure. In the United States, a periodontist attends three additional years of specific, focused dental industry training after graduation from a four-year dental school.
Who Needs to Have Gum Grafting?
Your dentist will likely recommend gum grafting if you are experiencing gum recession. Receding gums are often a symptom of severe gum disease, but you could also be genetically prone to the thinning of your gums. You could also cause and create gum recession if you brush either too aggressively or use a stiff-bristle toothbrush.
What are the Benefits or Advantages of Gum Grafting?
Gum tissue grafts offer a variety of benefits, which include:
- Reducing your risk of gum disease.
- Reducing your risk of cavities since exposed tooth roots are more vulnerable to decay.
- Decreasing the increase of tooth sensitivity.
- Improving and restoring the visual appearance of your healthy smile.
How Common is Gum Graft Surgery?
Gum grafting is a frequent and common periodontal procedure performed. Some specific genetic profiles may lack adequate gum, or gingival tissue, and for these patients, a free gingival graft procedure represents an ideal and proven way of returning them to desired and proper periodontal health.
Free gingival grafts may also be sometime preformed if you are to undergo orthodontic treatment or if a crown or another possible restorative treatment is being considered. Dental crowns can be a source of chronic inflammation if you lack adequate gum tissue. Free gingival grafts have been proven to be both a successful and quite predictable treatment. A free gingival graft can easily last your lifetime.
The primary limitation of a free gingival graft might be that the procedure cannot specifically cover exposed roots, but it will serve to stop further recession. In addition, gum from your palate could be a lighter shade of pink than the gum currently around your teeth, and this may have a slight cosmetic impact. Finally, the donor site might be sore for up to a week or two while your body heals.
Related Article: How Painful is a Free Gingival Graft Procedure?