Soft Tissue Grafting
Restore the appearance and health of your gums with soft tissue grafting (gum graft surgery).
Schedule with UsWhen is Soft Tissue Grafting Needed?
Soft tissue grafting is often necessary to combat gum recession. Periodontal disease, trauma, aging, over-brushing, and poor tooth positioning are the leading causes of gum recession, which can lead to tooth-root exposure in severe cases. Recent developments in dental technology have made soft tissue grafting more predictable and less intrusive.
If you want to restore the appearance of your smile and reverse the effects of receding gums, gum grafting in Temple, Texas may be the right solution for your dental needs. Please call our office at (254) 778-6440 to schedule a consultation.
Benefits of Gum Grafting
Gum grafting, also known as periodontal plastic surgery or soft tissue grafts, refers to any periodontal procedure aimed at grafting gingival tissue onto the gums to build up the gums and cover exposed tooth root surfaces. While there are several approaches to gum grafting, all of them aim to improve the appearance of your smile, alleviate teeth sensitivity, and prevent periodontal recession.
Gum grafting is a simple, effective way to reverse periodontal recession and promote healthy, functional gums and teeth.
Gum Grafting Surgery
The grafting procedure is generally performed under local anesthetic, but this will depend on the size of the areas receiving grafts. A small incision will be made at the site in order to create a small pocket. An incision is made in this pocket, and the donor tissue is placed between the two sections of this area. Tissue-stimulating proteins that promote natural tissue growth and healing may be applied to the site before suturing. Finally, the wound site will be sutured to prevent shifting, and protective surgical material will be placed to protect the sensitive area.
Soft Tissue Grafting FAQs
Soft tissue used during a gum graft can be taken from neighboring healthy gum tissue in the site of your gum graft or from the roof of your mouth (palatal tissue). If your dentist determines that you don't have enough healthy tissue in either of these areas, they may recommend donor tissue, which is sourced from a tissue bank.
Yes! If you have gum disease, once it is under control and treated by your provider, you may be eligible for soft tissue grafting to restore the appearance of your smile.
Soft tissue grafting is generally not painful, as your dentist will administer local anesthesia to ensure you're comfortable throughout the procedure. While some discomfort or swelling may occur during the healing process in the days that follow, this is usually manageable with pain medication prescribed by your provider. For the best results, it’s important to carefully follow all post-procedure instructions provided by your dental team.
Healing after a gum graft can vary from person to person. Right after the procedure, you should start feeling better in about a week or so, but for the area to fully heal, it takes between 2 and 6 months.
If your gum graft fails and doesn't heal properly, your provider can determine the best option for you to improve your oral health. In some cases, they may recommend another gum graft surgery, while in others, they may suggest additional gum disease treatment to address what caused the original graft to fail before performing another soft tissue graft on the area.