Your gums do more than support your teeth. They also guard your mouth, jaws tooth roots and even your body against the bacteria in your mouth. In order to do that, your gums need to be healthy. A soft tissue graft, also called a gum graft, is a graft of gingival tissue. A gum graft may be needed to correct gingival recession or improve the appearance of an uneven gumline.
During the gum grafting procedure, our dentist will attach grafting tissue onto the areas of the gums that need additional tissue. Based on your particular needs and desires, the tissue graft may be taken from another area of your mouth or from a tissue bank. When using your own tissues, the graft may be taken from the roof of the mouth or the surrounding gums. Dr. Bob Johnson will help you determine which type of gum graft is best suited to your individual needs.
Dr. Bob Johnson may recommend a soft tissue graft if you have experienced gingival recession. The gum tissues may recede if your smile is affected by periodontal disease; overaggressive brushing may also cause gum recession. When not treated with a gingival graft, gum recession may eventually lead to tooth loss due to lack of support from the gum tissues. A gum graft can also improve the appearance of your smile.
To learn more about how soft tissue grafting can improve the health and beauty of your smile, contact Horizon Dental Care at 970-245-3633.