Gum graft surgery

Receding gums

When one suffers from receding gums, one of the options to treat this problem is a surgery. Gum graft surgery is widely used and performed operation. In this procedure, the receding gums are repaired. This type of surgery is recommended when the roots of the teeth get exposed because the gum line receded.

Receding gums is a very serious condition since it can lead to the occurrence of many other teeth problems. When the gums are receded, the teeth may decay, the plaque may form, and the cavities and teeth may become hypersensitive. In severe cases, this condition even leads to the loss of the jaw bones that support the teeth.

Gingiva is the medical term for the gum tissues. They have the role to protect the teeth from any kind of an injury and from different bacteria. Therefore, when the gums recede, the roots and the underlying bones are exposed to microorganisms. Eventually, caries and teeth erosion, as well as hypersensitivity occur.

Gum graft surgery procedure

When a gum graft surgery is performed, a surgeon first removes some tissues from the palate. Afterwards, the surgeon places the tissue to the receding gum line and thus covers the part of the root that is exposed. Since there is a wound at the donor site, this procedure can be very painful. Thus, the surgeon usually removes the connective tissue that is between the surface tissue of the palate and the bone. In order to do this, the surgeon must make a small incision, but it is much less painful.

After the surgery, the patient usually experiences pain and swelling, which last for some time. Since there is a wound on the donor site, the bleeding may occur in some people, especially if the wound is deep. In the majority of cases, the recovery time that is necessary after a gum graft surgery is about four or six weeks.

Complications of gum graft surgery

Almost every operation has potential complications. This type of surgery may cause some infection that may further lead to the inflammation and swelling. Sometimes, it happens that the graft is displaced when the sutures are loosened. Furthermore, after the surgery, the person who underwent it may have problems and difficulties to open the mouth, or pain in the jaw joint may occur. Tooth sensitivity, as well as looseness of the teeth, may also be some of the consequences of the gum graft surgery.