Autograft vs Donor Graft
Gum recession is generally caused by periodontal disease but also naturally happens as we age. When the gun tissue begins to pull back from the teeth, it leads to an increased sensitivity and can be the starting point for more severe oral health issues down the line. Loss of gum tissue can quickly lead to bone deterioration and tooth loss. Fortunately, a gum graft can be used to restore gum tissue and prevent further damage.
There are a few different types of gum grafts available to regenerate lost gum tissue and restore your smile. There are advantages and drawbacks to each and of course, the decision is up to you. Your doctor may advise one over another so it is important to understand each option.
Types of Gum Grafts
Patient Tissue Graft
An autograft is a type of gum graft that is harvested from the patient's own mouth. The two types include a connective tissue graft and a free gingival graft. Both types utilize tissue from the roof of the patient's mouth which is then attached to the exposing tooth root to help regenerate gum tissue.
For a connective tissue graft, the doctor will create a flap on the roof of your mouth in order to access a small piece of the underlying connective tissue which is then stitched in place under the affected area to stimulate natural tissue growth. Connective tissue grafts are less invasive since the outer tissue is left in place and tend to have a more aesthetic result.
During a free gingival graft, instead of making a flap, the dentist will remove both the underlying connective tissue and the exposed tissue from the roof of the mouth which is then stitched into place to cover the exposed tooth root. Free gingival graft is ideal for gum recession where the affected area needs to be thickened or reinforced with stronger gum tissue. Color matching might be a little bit more difficult so the aesthetic result may be slightly noticeable.
Donor Tissue Graft
A donor graft is exactly what it sounds like, donor tissue harvested from a human or animal and sterilized to remove all living cells, proteins, viruses, and bacteria. Two types of donor graphs include an allograft and a xenograft.
An allograft is tissue harvested from a human cadaver. A xenograft is tissue harvested from another species, typically a cow or pig. Both types of donor grafts will blend well with the patient's natural gum tissue.
Autograft v Donor Graft
The biggest advantage of using donor tissue is that there is no limit to how many areas of the patient's mouth can be treated at once. When using the patient's own tissue, only one or two areas can be addressed at a time due to the invasive nature of harvesting tissue from the roof of the patient's mouth. Decision is up to you! Here are some pros and cons of each.
Autograft
Pros:
- Predictable results
- Increases gum thickness
- More natural
Cons:
- More discomfort due to 2 surgical sites
- Graft integrity depends on harvest location and quality
- Can only be used for a few areas at a time
Donor Graft
Pros:
- Preserves existing gum tissue
- Less discomfort due to no harvest site
- Can be used to treat the entire mouth at once
Cons:
- Does not work well for teeth that are rotated or have bone loss
- Need adequate quality gum tissue to start
- Requires significant training on behalf of the doctor as it is more technique sensitive