Gum grafting to improve the aesthetics of teeth

What is gum grafting?

Gum grafting is used to try and reconstruct an area of the mouth that has suffered from receding or lost gum tissue. Gum recession can occur due, for example, to brushing too hard, gum disease, bruxism or prolonged use of braces. To reduce the effect of the problem, gum grafting is usually indicated.

This is a surgical procedure that consists of removing a piece of mucosa from the patient’s own palate (roof of the mouth) and then placing it over the defect. The material is removed under local anesthesia and the person feels no pain, only slight discomfort.

Update: It is now possible to perform gum grafting without removing gum from the roof of the mouth, using a synthetic material for this purpose.

When healthy, the gums form a protective collar around the tooth. There are two types of gum: the inserted gum, which is a pink, thicker tissue that surrounds the tooth and is adhered to by the bone tissue, and the mucosa (non-inserted gum), a thin, soft and highly mobile tissue that forms the inside of the cheeks and lips. When the gums are unhealthy, we first need to restore their health by removing the bacteria with a periodontal scraping.

Gum defect needs grafting

A gingival defect (receding gums) usually occurs as a result of gum inflammation, caused by a tooth fracture for example. It happens when the gum tissue retracts, almost always due to excessive force when brushing the teeth. The retraction of the gum tissue leaves the tooth root exposed, causing tooth sensitivity and compromising the aesthetics of the teeth. In the case of dental implants, receding gums can expose the base of the implants.

There can also be gum loss due to trauma, accidents or periodontal disease. In these cases, the gums lose their original shape and the aesthetics of the smile can be compromised, especially in the area of the front teeth. In some cases, the placement of dental implants leaves the gums with an inappropriate shape, and this defect can also be corrected with the gum grafting technique.

It is important to note that the gingival grafting procedure does not guarantee success. Even if the procedure is carried out perfectly in terms of technique, there may be tissue necrosis and a consequent loss of the grafted tissue.

After gum surgery

To prevent pain, the patient uses medication (anti-inflammatories) before and after surgery. The dentist can also use “surgical cement”, a protective barrier that is fixed in place where the operation took place. It sticks to the teeth and gums for around five days.

The donor area is not left unprotected after the procedure, as it is sutured (stitched) and this protection helps to maintain its aesthetics and shape, even after a small piece has been removed. Among the main precautions after gum surgery, diet is the most important. The patient should follow the post-surgical recommendations, which are the same as for implant surgery, eating soft, cold food for the first few days to avoid bleeding, infections, and to help with analgesia and healing.

Acidic foods should also be avoided so as not to irritate or sting the gums. As an alternative to gum grafts, prostheses can be made to disguise the aesthetic problem, either with more favorable tooth shapes or with prostheses containing artificial gum. Each case is assessed individually.

If you have any questions about gum grafting, treatments or treatment prices, please contact our team. We at ImplArt Dental Clinic are happy to help you.

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