What is Gum Grafting?

Gum grafting is a type of periodontal therapy for replacing gum tissue that has deteriorated. Gums that have receded due to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, injury, or some other oral health condition, leave teeth vulnerable as their roots become exposed. Gum grafting is a technique for replacing gum tissue, thereby protecting teeth and their roots. At Westlake Periodontics, Dr. Scott Sazima is your dentist for gum grafting in Westlake, OH.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting involves adding new gum tissue to areas in the mouth where gum tissue has been lost. In some cases, when there is sufficient healthy gum tissue in other areas of the mouth, some of that tissue can be removed and placed in areas where gum tissue is missing. In other cases when it is not possible to extract gum tissue from another area of the mouth, donor tissue that has been processed in a lab can be used to replace missing gum tissue. In Westlake, gum grafting can be performed by Dr. Sazima at Westlake Periodontics.

Gum grafting is an out-patient procedure performed in your dentist’s office. Patients are usually given a local anesthetic to minimize pain and discomfort. Patients experiencing a high level of anxiety might require sedation. During the procedure, the dentist positions the replacement gum tissue in the target area and secures it with sutures or surgical adhesives. Patients recover at home following the procedure and can resume most normal activities within 24 hours, although it usually takes a few weeks for the mouth to fully heal from the procedure.

The loss of gum tissue due to periodontal disease, oral injury, or another cause, can leave the roots of teeth exposed and vulnerable to damage and decay. Gum grafting is a procedure for replacing missing gum tissue and protecting exposed tooth roots. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sazima, your Westlake, OH dentist, call Westlake Periodontics at (440) 835-4600.