Tissue grafting is a surgery used to repair the damage caused by gum recession and restore the health and natural appearance of your gum tissues. At Charles E. Dyer, IV, DDS, MS, PC, we begin by numbing the surgery sites with a local anesthetic. Soft tissue is taken from elsewhere in your mouth and secured in place over the areas of recession, known as the recipient site. 

Depending on your specific circumstances, we may employ donor tissue from another donor or other regeneration materials. As you recuperate, your native gum tissue and the donor tissue merge, forming a tight, protective seal around your teeth.

What Causes Gum to Recede?

Periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease, is frequently the cause of gum recession. When gingivitis is left untreated, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth, creating deep pockets that serve as a breeding ground for germs. 

As the chronic illness worsens, it wreaks havoc on the bone and tissue that support the teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss. The gums shrink or recede, exposing the tooth roots and making your teeth appear longer.

Gum recession can also be caused by genetics, poor oral hygiene, forceful teeth cleaning, smoking or using tobacco products, and certain illnesses. Gums may recede due to misaligned teeth, dental trauma, prolonged clenching and grinding (bruxism), or past orthodontic treatment.

Types of Gum Tissue Grafts

Connective Tissue Grafts

This is the most commonly utilized approach for treating root exposure. During the procedure, a flap of skin is cut from the roof of your mouth (palate), and tissue from beneath the flap is taken and sewn to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed root. The palatal flap is stitched back after the connective tissue graft has been removed from beneath it.

Free Gingival Grafts

This surgery, like connective tissue grafting, involves harvesting tissue from the roof of the mouth. Rather than creating a flap and extracting tissue from behind it, we extract tissue straight from the roof of the mouth and attach it to the target area. Free gingival grafts are appropriate for patients with thin gums requiring more tissue to widen them.

Pedicle Grafts

In this procedure, instead of taking tissue from the palate, it is transplanted from the gum around or near the tooth that has to be fixed. The flap, known as a pedicle, is only partially sliced away, leaving one edge intact. The gum is then dragged over or down and sewn into place to hide the exposed root. This surgery can only be performed on patients with enough gum tissue around their teeth.

We can help stop and reverse the consequences of gum recession using a tissue graft. For the best dental care tailored to your specific needs, visit Charles E. Dyer, IV, DDS, MS, PC, at 16316 Spring Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX 77429, or call (281) 304-9911.