Your Napanee Invisalign® Provider
Your dentist has recommended you have a gum graft procedure. Our Napanee dentists share some tips on what you can expect and how to prepare for this dental surgery.
What should I expect with a gum graft?
If gum disease has taken a foothold in your mouth, your gums may recede, exposing the roots of your teeth. Coincidentally, your tooth surfaces may be more vulnerable to abrasion, decay and sensitivity.
Your dentist may recommend a gingival gum graft to address your condition. Today, we'll list reasons you may need the procedure, how to prepare, its success rate and other aspects to think about.
What is a gingival gum graft?
During a gingival gum graft, tissue is removed from a patient's palate, then grafted (transplanted) to the area where your gums have receded. In some cases, this technique involves using tissue from a donor.
Reasons You May Need a Gingival Gum Graft
A gingival gum graft can:
- Restore your smile's natural appearance (depending on the case)
- Decrease sensitivity in teeth where the gum has worn away by covering the exposed root with new gum tissue
- Protect the tooth against further gum recession
- Stabilize and strengthen the gum covering a tooth
How to Prepare
- Two appointments are needed for a gum graft: the first to perform the surgery and the second to remove sutures and check that the graft is healing correctly.
- You do not need to modify your diet or fast prior to the procedure – just show up at your appointed time.
- You’ll want to arrange a ride to and from your appointment, as you’ll be taking medication for pain and discomfort, which may make it unsafe to drive.
- The dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area affected by the procedure.
- The procedure typically takes about an hour and a half.
- Your graft will be sutured, and so you’ll need to rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash.
- You’ll be given care instructions – follow them to ensure your graft heals as it’s supposed to.
The Procedure
Your dentist will take the following steps to perform the gum graft procedure:
Step 1
Local anesthesia is injected at the graft harvesting site (where tissue will be removed from the palate), and on the area receiving the transplant.
Step 2
The graft tissue is harvested.
Step 3
The tissue will be grafted onto the site where gum is receding.
Success Rate
The success rate for gum grafts very high. Typically, likelihood of success increases considerably when patients brush and floss correctly following the procedure.
Another Option: Pinhole Surgical Technique
The Pinhole Surgical Technique is an alternative option to a gum graft and provides immediate results. This less invasive procedure involves the surgeon poking a small hole in the gum above the tooth or teeth that need treatment.
A special instrument is then used to gently move the gums down to the correct position. A small angled instrument is then used to thread collagen strips or gum graft material through the entry point, where they are placed under the gums.