Reconnecting Smiles: 3 Types of Gum Grafts

Gingivitis, the earliest form of gum disease, can often be reversed by improving your at-home dental hygiene routine or scheduling more consistent checkups with your oral healthcare provider. However, it’s notoriously hard to catch in the beginning stages, so it frequently progresses to more advanced periodontal problems.

As your condition worsens, your connective tissues eventually retract from your enamel to try to escape the infection. They don’t grow back independently, but your periodontist can provide a gum graft to preserve your oral health. Continue reading to learn more about 3 procedures they might suggest to improve your condition!

Type #1: Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft

This is a common procedure to address advancing gum disease and derives its name from the source of tissue taken to restructure your connective tissues. First, your periodontist will numb the area with a local anesthetic and likely sedate you to ensure you remain calm and pain-free the entire time.

Then, they carefully remove a small amount of tissue from under a flap in the palate of your mouth and transfer it to your receding gumline. Then, they gently stitch it in place and close the flap. It can alleviate sensitivity from overly exposed enamel and prevent plaque and bacteria from penetrating the roots.

Type #2: Free Gingival Graft

This surgical service also utilizes tissue from the roof of your mouth to repair your gums, but instead of creating a flap and pulling tissue from underneath, they use materials from the top layer. Once you’re comfortably sedated and/or numbed, they will remove a bit of tissue directly from your palate and place it on thinning or receding gums.

This treatment is often helpful in less severe cases of periodontal disease and can keep your connective tissues from continuing to retract. Plus, a smaller amount of tissue is removed and altered and is less likely to detract from your appearance than a connective tissue graft.

Type #3: Pedical Graft

For this option, your periodontist pulls tissue from near the problematic gums to restore them. They’ll create a flap nearby instead of on the roof of your mouth to carefully harvest tissues to reattach to the troublesome section.

This method is often preferred because it doesn’t disrupt your mouth’s natural blood flow, meaning your body can effectively deliver essential nutrients and infection-fighting cells. However, you must have enough healthy tissue intact to be able to relocate some.

If you’re unsure whether your condition is severe enough to warrant a gum graft procedure, the best next step is to contact your provider for an examination!

Meet the Author

Dr. Andrew Barnett is a skilled expert who offers various specialized services to improve your dental condition. He earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh, then achieved a Masters of Science and Certificate in Periodontics from the University of Michigan. Today, he offers complex treatments, including surgical procedures like gum grafts, to help you build and maintain a happy, healthy smile. He combines a compassionate and trustworthy approach with state-of-the-art technology to increase patient comfort while delivering accurate results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (214) 691-2614.