Gum Grafting Procedures
Dental professionals perform gum grafts on patients who have exposed roots or an uneven gum line. Gum disease, or periodontitis, frequently results in receding gums. With more tooth surface exposed and increased space between teeth and gums, gum disease more easily destroys tissue and bone. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, a gum graft "can reduce further recession and bone loss."
Gingival Graft
Keratinized gingiva is one of two types of gum tissue in the mouth. It is the thick, protective tissue that surrounds the teeth. According to Dr. H. Kendall Scholes, DMD, a gingival graft involves, "A thin piece of tissue ... taken from the roof of the mouth, or gently moved over from adjacent areas, to provide a stable band of attached gingiva around the tooth." This results in a reduction in gum recession and an increase in protection from gum disease damage. According to the Dental Health Network (DHN), "This type of graft restores and augments the missing thick keratinized gingiva, but does not result in covering of the exposed root."
Connective Tissue Graft
Connective tissue gum grafts use tissue from beneath the roof of the mouth. According to the DHN, this procedure "is used to not only restore missing thick keratinized gum tissue, but also used to cover exposed roots of the teeth." With the gum line firmly concealing the roots of teeth, less bacteria can get beneath the gums and cause inflammation. Protecting the gums from further damage is essential to maintaining bone density and the health of your teeth. A gum graft also eliminates sensitivity to hot and cold due to exposed teeth roots.
Tissue Bank Allograft
Instead of using your own gum tissue, a tissue bank allograft uses tissue from a cadaver for the graft. By using a donor's tissue you will not have to go through the pain and recovery of the palate healing post-operation. Tissue from donors is safe and effective. According to Northwest Tissue Services, a tissue bank, "In addition to screening for HIV and hepatitis, the new regulation requires screening for diseases such as syphilis, West Nile virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the neurological condition Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) ... Donor tissue cannot be released for use until all screening and testing processes are completed and medical experts review and evaluate the results." Many periodontists perform tissue bank allografts, though some prefer to use the patient's tissue for the procedure.
Tags: tissue bank, exposed roots, Grafting Procedures, missing thick, missing thick keratinized, roof mouth
