Am I a Candidate for a Free Gingival Graft?
Receding gums and exposed tooth roots are some of the few problems that patients suffering from gum recession struggle with on a daily basis. These changes are not only a dysfunction, but also an aesthetic defect. The gum line is lowered. A gum transplant procedure is effective in their treatment. What does a gum transplant provide? Is it a chance to completely cure the recession of your gums and who are the candidates for this procedure? Please read on to find out!
Surgical treatment of gum recession - gum transplant
Gingival grafting is one of the most popular periodontal surgery procedures. Often, recession can be resolved in a single visit. Depending on the treatment needs, the appropriate technique for the procedure is determined for each patient. In general, the procedure involves taking gum from the patient's palate and transferring it to another part of your mouth where it is needed. The palate will fully regenerate tissue within a few weeks, and the procedure is usually painless and does not impede normal functioning.
If we are dealing with a very thin gingival phenotype or significant changes in the tooth root area, a connective tissue graft, also known as a subepithelial tissue graft (CTG), may be necessary. It involves taking soft tissue from the hard palate area. The material is then sewn under the gum of the recipient site. This procedure aims to increase the thickness and improve the quality of the soft tissue. The recipient site heals within a few to a dozen or so days.
Free gingival graft (FGG) involves the transplantation of gum from the palate. The gingival graft involves taking a full-thickness flap – containing connective tissue and keratinized epithelium. It is sewn into the place where the neck of the tooth is exposed. It ensures the creation of an appropriate epithelial zone.
Regeneration of the palate after CTG and FGG procedures usually takes from a few to a dozen or so days. Regeneration of the recipient tissues takes a similar time.
Who is a candidate for a Free Gingival Graft?
In general, most healthy people are good candidates for this procedure, as it is relatively noninvasive and has a quick healing time. Your dentist will take a full health screen and make sure you are healthy enough for the Free Gingival Graft.
Gum transplantation – contraindications
There are a few people for whom we don’t recommend a Free Gingival Graft. Basic contraindications to Free Gingival Graft reconstruction are as follows:
- poor general health,
- untreated inflammation of the gums and periodontium,
- thin bone biotype,
- smoking or excessive alcohol use,
- lack of proper oral hygiene.
In Conclusion
If you have gum recession, it is both bad for your oral health and the aesthetics of your smile. It can lead to more tooth decay, caries, and other dental diseases. It can also cause your teeth to look too long when you smile. If you notice that your gums are receding when you look in the mirror, make an appointment with us today to see if a Free Gingival Graft is right for you!