The goal of a free gingival graft procedure is to reconstruct a layer of gum, gingivae, tissue around a tooth to restore the protective support. A free gingival graft is harvested from the gum tissue on your palate, or the roof of your mouth. When a free gingival graft is used, there is no effort made to cover the exposed root surface. Because of this, free gingival grafts are usually considered for patients simply lacking adequate gum tissue and who have not experienced gum recession.
What is a Gum Graft?
A gum graft is a simple dental surgery. It treats gum recession, when your gums pull away from your teeth, exposing the roots underneath. Exposed teeth roots will increase your risk of tooth decay, increase sensitivity, and accelerate bone loss around teeth. Gum grafting replaces the missing tissue around your teeth and also improves your overall oral health.
A periodontist usually does gum grafting surgery. In the U.S., a periodontist attends three additional years of specific focused training following graduation from a four-year dental school.
Who Needs to Have Gum Grafting?
Your dentist most likely will recommend gum grafting if you have suffered gum recession. Receding gums are often a symptom of severe gum disease, but you may also be genetically prone to thinning gums. You can also create gum recession if you simply brush too aggressively.
What are the Advantages of Gum Grafting?
Gum tissue grafts offer a number of benefits, such as:
- Reducing your risk of gum disease.
- Reducing your risk of cavities because exposed teeth roots are vulnerable to decay.
- Decreasing teeth sensitivity.
- Improving the appearance of your smile.
How Common is Gum Graft Surgery?
Gum grafting is a quite common periodontal procedure performed in the U.S. Specific genetic profiles lack adequate gum, or gingival, tissue and for such patients, a free gingival graft procedure represents an ideal way of returning that patient to proper periodontal health.
Free gingival grafts are also considered if you undergo orthodontic treatment or where a crown or another restorative treatment is planned. Crowns can be a potential source of chronic inflammation if you lack adequate gum tissue. Free gingival grafts have been proven to be an established and predictable treatment. Once placed, a free gingival graft can often last your lifetime.
The primary limitation of a free gingival graft is that the procedure cannot cover exposed roots, but just serves to stop further recession. In addition, gum from your palate can be a lighter shade of pink than the gum located around your teeth, and this could have a slight cosmetic impact. Finally, the donor site can be sore for up to a week while your body heals.