Gum & Soft Tissue Grafting

Gum and soft tissue grafting enhances your smile and reduces sensitivity by covering visible roots that are exposed due to periodontal disease or aging. You may also choose gum grafting to change the appearance of teeth that look too long.

Your gums recede and expose tooth roots due to a number of issues. These include:

• Chronic inflammation from plaque at the gum line
• Aggressive tooth brushing
• Tooth grinding
• Aging

The dental specialists at WisNova identify the root cause of your recession and get it under control before performing the gum graft. This helps prevent additional recession.

Gum grafting improves the look of a smile where tooth roots are visible, making your teeth look abnormally long. You may also choose a gum graft if the exposed tooth roots heighten your sensitivity to hot and cold foods or beverages.

Gum recession affects 4-12% of adults; you may not notice the problem until it becomes severe and alters your smile and teeth sensation. Over time, if gum recession goes unaddressed, it can lead to tooth loss.

A gum graft is an outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day. You’ll undergo local anesthesia and a sedative to calm you, this means you will need assistance driving home.

During the gum grafting procedure, the doctors take tissue from the roof of your mouth. This causes little post-operative discomfort – you won’t even notice that the tissue is gone. In some cases, tissue for the gum graft may be obtained from a tissue bank. Such donated tissue is treated to eliminate the risk of disease transmission or your body’s rejection of the foreign tissue.

The doctors then secure the tissue over the exposed root and underneath the recessed gum area. They use a pocket-like flap, a technique that allows the added tissue to receive optimal nourishment and the best chance of healing.

If you’re ready to reform your smile and gum health, call our office or request appoint online to learn about gum and soft tissue grafting.