What is a Periodontics CTG?
A gum graft is a great way to rejuvenate and restore receding gum tissue. If the patient has periodontal disease, the gum tissue can start to pull away from the roots of the teeth, exposing the root structure causing sensitivity and discomfort. There are a number of things that can cause gum recession aside from periodontal disease including certain medications, aging, and genetics. Gum tissue does not regenerate on its own so if it is left untreated, the root structure can begin to decay, the jaw bone can begin to deteriorate, and eventually you may experience tooth loss.
If you have extreme sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages, you may have some gum recession that needs to be addressed. Your dentist can diagnose gum recession and advise treatment, most likely with a periodontist. There are a few different types of gum graft surgeries that the periodontist can perform to restore your gum tissue, one type is a connective tissue graft, or CTG. In this section, we are going to focus on the CTG; when it is needed and how it is performed.
Connective Tissue Grafting (CTG)
The connective tissue graft is the most common type of graft and uses a piece of underlying connective tissue that is stitched into place under existing gum tissue in the affected area. The tissue is harvested from a flap that is cut on the roof of the patient's mouth, enabling the surgeon to access the underlying connective tissue.
CTG provides predictable, long-term results for gum restoration. It is ideal for areas where the gum tissue is genetically very thin because it is able to provide a better result.
CTG is an outpatient surgery that typically takes one to two hours, depending on the size of the area being treated. After a connective tissue graft, it can take up to two months for the site to heal completely. Your surgeon will give you postoperative instructions to help you care for your surgery site and improve your chances of success! It is important to continue brushing and flossing as normal while taking extreme care to avoid your surgery site until your doctor clears you to return to oral hygiene as normal.
A warm salt water rinse is a great way to clean your mouth after eating, it helps clear away food particles from your surgery site and also helps soothe the area and ease inflammation. Over-the-counter pain medication can be used to ease discomfort but if you are experiencing more pain than you can tolerate or you notice any bleeding or pus coming from your surgery site, contact your surgeon immediately so they can treat you for a possible infection.
If you struggle with gum recession and sensitivity, speak with your dentist to see if a connective tissue graft is a good option to restore your smile and get you feeling happy and confident!