If you are experiencing issues with receding gums in your mouth, chances are at one time or another your dentist has mentioned the words gum graft. This procedure is often associated with great pain, and nasty procedures-however, they can make a huge difference in your smile, if you are willing to go through the procedure.

Your gums may have receded for a variety of reasons, including aggressive tooth brushing or periodontal disease. You may not be in control of what caused the recession, but prior to treatment your oral surgeon can help you identify the factors contributing to the problem.

Once these contributing factors are controlled, a soft tissue graft procedure will repair the defect and help to prevent additional recession and bone loss. If you are wondering exactly what is entailed in this procedure, here is the answer:

A gingival graft is a generic name for any of a number of surgical periodontal procedures whose combined aim is to cover an area of exposed tooth root surface with grafted oral tissue. The covering of the exposed root surface accomplishes a number of objectives.

The main two purposes of this grafting is to prevent further root exposure, decrease or eliminate sensitivity, and improve cosmetic appearance. This procedure is performed by an oral surgeon.

The specific procedures which can accomplish these goals are varied. The first is a coronally and apically positioned flap.

Although these are technically not grafting procedures, they are other forms of a pedicle grafts in that gingival tissue is freed up and moved either coronally or apically. This requires adequate thickness and width of gingival tissue at the base of the recession defect.

Next, a free gingival graft is a dental procedure where a layer of tissue is removed from the palate of the patient’s mouth and then relocated to the site of gum recession. It is stitched into place and will serve to protect the exposed root as living tissue.

The donor site will heal without damage. This procedure is often used to increase the thickness of very thin gum tissue.

A subepithelial connective tissue graft takes tissue from under healthy gum tissue in the palate, which may be placed at the area of gum recession. This procedure has the advantage of excellent predictability of root coverage, as well as decreased pain at the palatal donor site compared to the free gingival graft.

A lateral pedicle graft, or pedicle graft, takes tissue from the area immediately adjacent to the damaged gingiva. This is not always an option, as the constraint that there must be sufficient tissue immediately lateral to the area of interest is an onerous one.

When this procedure is performed, the transplant tissue is cut away and rotated over the damaged area. This can place the donor area at risk of recession as well.

An acellular dermal matrix, such as an alloderm graft, uses donated medically-processed human skin tissue as a source for the graft. The advantage of this procedure is no need for a palatal donor site, however some periodontists believe it may be less successful, while others believe it is equally successful as a subepithelial connective tissue graft.

If you have decided to have one of these procedures, you need to make sure that you are sufficiently prepared, as this process can be quite painful. Take pain medication as prescribed before leaving the dental office or as soon as you get home because the anesthesia will wear off quickly.

Wear a stent if directed by the dentist. A stent is like a retainer coated with ointment that protects the roof of your mouth, where donor tissue was excised, and assists healing.

Wear the stent as long as needed, but wash it daily with soap and water and reapply ointment for the first three days. Refrain from spitting, Tadacip rinsing, drinking with a straw or eating crunchy sharp-edged foods for twenty four hours after the dental graft.

Failure to abide by this rule could increase bleeding and delay healing. Get plenty of rest for the first twenty four hours and avoid physical activity and lay down with your head elevated.

Keep the affected area clean with a Q-tip and antibacterial rinse provided by the dental office. Do not brush or floss at the site until given permissions by your dentist-following these simple procedures can make your process as smooth as possible.

Author Bio: Ignacio Lopez has been working as an Oral Surgeon since 1985. He has written several article about oral health throughout his life. He recommends wisdom teeth Utah for all your oral needs.

ContactInfo:
Ignacio Lopez
IgnacioLopez09@gmail.com
http://www.utahvalleyoralsurgery.com

Category: Health/Diseases and Conditions
Keywords: wisdom teeth Utah