Tissue Grafting
One of the problems more readily identified by patients is gum
recession. This occurs mainly in patients with thin, fragile gums, or
patients suffering from the gum disease. Gum recession can make your
teeth feel sensitive and look longer than usual. This lengthy tooth look
will give the appearance of an older smile, hence the expression ‘Long
in the tooth’.
Recession may result in sensitive teeth because the exposed roots are more vulnerable to temperature changes and the effects of sugary or acidic foods. More often, however, recession is not associated with any pain or sensitivity, and may progress unnoticed for years. Gum recession, if left untreated, may progress to further gum disease, bone loss, root decay, and eventual tooth loss.
Gum recession is treated through Soft Tissue Grafting procedures. These techniques are predictable in creating thicker, stronger gum tissue. This prevents further recession and in most cases covers the exposed portions of the tooth roots. One or several teeth can be treated at the same time. Historically, the patients own tissue is used for soft tissue grafting. The most common donor site is the side of the palate, where the tissue is thick enough to serve as a harvesting site. The tissue that is ‘borrowed’ from the palate will completely regenerate. While autografting (using the patient’s own tissue) is the undisputable ‘gold-standard’ for soft tissue grafting, there are other alternatives including the use of donor tissue (ie. AlloDerm®).
For more information on the use of donor tissue for grafting, see the section labeled AlloDerm®.
Recession may result in sensitive teeth because the exposed roots are more vulnerable to temperature changes and the effects of sugary or acidic foods. More often, however, recession is not associated with any pain or sensitivity, and may progress unnoticed for years. Gum recession, if left untreated, may progress to further gum disease, bone loss, root decay, and eventual tooth loss.
Gum recession is treated through Soft Tissue Grafting procedures. These techniques are predictable in creating thicker, stronger gum tissue. This prevents further recession and in most cases covers the exposed portions of the tooth roots. One or several teeth can be treated at the same time. Historically, the patients own tissue is used for soft tissue grafting. The most common donor site is the side of the palate, where the tissue is thick enough to serve as a harvesting site. The tissue that is ‘borrowed’ from the palate will completely regenerate. While autografting (using the patient’s own tissue) is the undisputable ‘gold-standard’ for soft tissue grafting, there are other alternatives including the use of donor tissue (ie. AlloDerm®).
For more information on the use of donor tissue for grafting, see the section labeled AlloDerm®.
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