Your gum health is important to your overall health. When gums become damaged, it’s important to seek treatment from a trusted periodontist and periodontal surgeon like Dr. Jody Harrison of Asheville, NC. Gum grafting repairs damaged gums as a result of gum disease and is often the first step in transforming your smile with dental implants. Learn more about gum grafting and dental implants with Dr. Harrison.
When is Gum Graft Surgery Necessary?
Periodontal disease occurs when the destruction from oral bacteria has reached the underlying jawbone. The pockets created by gum inflammation deepen and more gum tissue and bone are affected. Eventually, due to loss of support, the teeth can become loose and fall out due to inflammation and gum recession. When the gums recede, an experienced periodontal surgeon can use gum grafting surgery to restore the tissue and prevent tooth loss.
Another use for gum grafting is to restore gum health as part of dental implant placement. If you have experienced gum recession as a result of tooth loss, replacing the missing tooth with an implant requires grafting to ensure the implant stays in place. Implants can protect jawbone and gum health by stimulating the tissue, but it needs to be placed into existing healthy tissue. Gum grafting allows patients to experience the aesthetic and therapeutic benefits of dental implants.
Types of Gum Grafts
There are a few different types of gum grafts that are commonly performed. Dr. Harrison will work with each patient on an individual basis to assess their needs and determine the type of graft needed for your dental health.
- Free Gingival Grafts: A small amount of tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth and attached to the affected area.
- Connective-Tissue Grafts: A piece of tissue is removed from a flap of skin from the roof of the mouth and stitched to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed tooth root.
- Pedicle Grafts: Tissue is removed from healthy gums around or near the affected tooth. The flap is partially cut so that part of it remains attached. Then the tissue is pulled to cover the explored tooth root and stitched into place. This procedure can only be performed on patients with an adequate amount of healthy gum tissue.
Periodontal Surgeon in Asheville, NC
Our multidisciplinary periodontal and dental implant practice is dedicated to restoring and improving your periodontal health using state-of-the-art methods and technologies to create beautiful, healthy smiles. Schedule your appointment online or call us today.