Are there different types of tissue grafts for periodontics?
Gum tissue grafting, also known as gingival grafting, is a therapy that thickens and boosts the gum tissue and covers areas where the tissue has receded and the roots of the teeth are exposed. There are a number of different types of gingival grafting techniques, and the best type of treatment for each patient will depend on a few different factors, including the amount and quality of the bone and other tissue present. The four primary kinds of gingival grafts are free gingival grafts, connective tissue grafts, alloderm grafts, and pedicle grafts. The overall purpose of gingival grafts is to restore areas of recession in the gum tissue and return the tissue to its natural position. It might seem like the gums are only there for aesthetic reasons, but they actually serve the important role of protecting the tooth roots from invasive bacteria and harmful elements. When they pull away from the teeth, this protective role is lost.
Periodontists rely on free gingival grafts to bolster the gums in areas that are receding or otherwise weakened. The gums play a significant role in the oral health, so when any area of the gums is compromised, the tooth is at risk. If the tooth root becomes exposed, it is more vulnerable to infection, and the area is also likely to be highly sensitive to changes in temperature, possibly even making it painful to consume certain foods and drinks. Your periodontist can remove a piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth and graft it over the gums. Once it heals, the gums will appear fuller and will more securely hug the tooth roots and keep them protected, preventing additional tissue loss.
The connective tissue graft is the most common kind of gum tissue graft. For a free gingival graft, the dentist removes the outer layer of tissue and uses it to reinforce the gums. For a connective tissue graft, the dentist removes a deeper piece of connective tissue from the palate, placing it beneath the gum tissue rather than on top of it. This type of graft may be preferable when in an area of specific aesthetic concern, as it creates a seamlessly colored, even end result, and it may also be recommended if the area is particularly sensitive to cold.
Sometimes, a periodontist will choose to use donor tissue instead of using tissue from inside the patient’s own mouth. This type of graft is called an alloderm graft and resembles the connective tissue graft, in that the graft is inserted behind the existing gum tissue rather than grafted over it. Alloderm grafts might be recommended when there is insufficient tissue available on the patient’s own palate, or when the patient has an aversion to removing their own tissue for whatever reason. When there is sufficient extra gingival tissue near the area of recession, your periodontist may be able to use a technique called pedicle grafting. Pedicle grafting uses gum tissue that is next to the area of treatment, rotating the existing tissue into the area of recession. This often means that pedicle grafting can’t be used if there’s more than one tooth that’s undergoing gingival recession, as there isn’t usually sufficient gum tissue present to cover multiple areas of recession. When there is only a single tooth affected by gingival recession, however, a pedicle graft could restore the appearance and integrity of the gum tissue and protect once-exposed tooth roots from painful and destructive elements.