If gum recession is present and tooth roots are exposed, a gum graft may be recommended. This procedure is used to control and prevent further gum recession and subsequent damage to the surrounding teeth and bone structure. Often, a soft tissue graft also improves the appearance of a patient’s smile and sensitivity to heat and cold.
During a soft tissue graft, tissue is surgically placed to cover as much of the exposed root area as possible. Often, a tissue flap is created to allow the added tissue to be joined to the existing gums to facilitate tissue growth and healing. This procedure may be used to treat one or several adjacent teeth at the time of the surgery.
The tissue used for the graft may be taken from the roof of the patient’s mouth or from a tissue bank. If taken from the roof of the patient’s mouth, the procedure may involve cutting a flap in order to use tissue beneath the outer layer and then stitching the flap back in place. This is known as a connective tissue graft and is the most common procedure used for gum grafting.