Gum grafting is used when the gums have receded from the tooth. In a healthy mouth you will see that the gums cover the entire root of a tooth. However, with periodontal disease and excessive brushing the gums will loosen from the tooth creating large pockets that bacteria can fill. The bacteria can then grow and reach the root creating a large number of health and dental problems. A gum graft is used to tighten the gums back against the teeth to restore the gum line.
Procedure:
- The dentist first makes you comfortable by numbing the site.
- The grafted skin is then taken from another site in the mouth.
- The gums are gently separated from the tooth which creates a flap.
- Then root planning and scaling is performed to clean out all tarter and plaque.
- Once the site is clean the graft is placed and stitched.