The Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft
The gingival graft treats gum recession and other aesthetic flaws, but its success depends on the care taken before and after the treatment. The gum covers part of the tooth to prevent sensitive parts of it from being exposed to the external environment. However, there are situations where this fabric is too short and fails to cover as much as it should. But this problem can be solved with gum grafting.
Gingival (gum) graft surgery consists in the removal, by the periodontist, of a small part of healthy tissue which will be reused to regenerate the gums that have receded. The tissue to be grafted is usually taken (or “harvested”) from the patient's palate and applied where necessary, i.e., in the points where the gum has receded. By covering the uncovered parts of your tooth, a barrier against bacteria is created and the tooth and gum are protected and renewed. The operation is performed with local anesthesia on the affected area and is painless and not very complex. Though the operation is painless, there can be some slight pain and/or discomfort during the healing process of this type of procedure.
We can distinguish two gum graft harvesting techniques:
* connective tissue sampling: a technique that involves the excision (removal) of both epithelial (top skin layer) and connective tissue (the layer underneath the outside layer). Connective tissue, unlike epithelial tissue, has a large amount of extracellular matrix, in addition to a wide variety of cells. The extracellular matrix is a large network of proteins and other molecules that surround, support, and give structure to cells and tissues in the body.
* epithelial-connective sampling: the most common technique, especially in the case of reduced palatal thicknesses (under 2.5 mm). This type of graft involves taking donor tissue only from the top most layer of outside skin in the roof of your mouth.
The subepithelial connective tissue graft (sometimes referred to as a SECT graft) is essentially the same thing as a connective tissue graft, and the names are often used interchangeably. This type of graft is an autogenous graft, meaning that the tissue used to cover the exposed teeth comes from the patient themselves, rather than from a human donor or other biocompatible source of skin.
The main risks and benefits of gum grafts
The gingival grafting operation offers many advantages:
* restoring a healthy and beautiful smile
* reduction and disappearance of dental sensitivity
* restoration of exposed teeth
The risks and complications after a gum graft are rare. However, the following may occur:
* inflamed gums
* pain
* gingival bleeding
* and in the most severe cases necrosis of the primary flap
Regardless of the type of gum graft your dentist or surgeon performs, it is important to note that the healing time can be as long as 4 months or longer for the donor site and for the site where the new tissue has been placed. It is of upmost importance that you refrain from smoking and make sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions for how to care for the surgical site(s) of a gum graft.