Difference between an FGG and CTG?
The two types of tissue grafts that are most often used to repair and replenish missing gum tissue are free gingival grafts, commonly known as FGG, and connective tissue grafts, commonly known as CTG. If you’re missing gum tissue because of advanced gum disease, or if your gums have receded and you’re noticing adverse side effects, surgical treatments like gum tissue grafts can rebuild the gum tissue and help it continue to do its job of protecting the teeth from invasive bacteria and other destructive elements. For a gingival tissue graft, your periodontist will extract tissue from another area of your mouth and fuse it to the area that needs replenishing. There are several different types of tissue grafts that have been used for gum restoration since these types of surgeries were first introduced in the 1950s, and it is still the case that the best procedure will depend largely on the nature of your unique needs.
Many periodontists recommend connective tissue grafts before any other type. Like most tissue structures, the gums have distinct layers of connective tissue and epithelial tissue. The epithelial tissue is the outermost protective layer that helps maintain the system’s structure – the skin, if you will. Connective tissue lies beneath the epithelium. For a connective tissue graft, your periodontist will harvest connective tissue from your palate and secure it beneath the epithelium of the gums, under a flap of tissue that has been surgically prepared to receive this tissue booster that will replenish its volume from within. This treatment is particularly popular with patients who have had gum disease and whose tooth roots are exposed as a result. The surgically placed tissue covers exposed tooth roots and eliminates its symptoms while protecting the teeth from subsequent bacterial invasion.
Free gingival grafts also involve moving tissue from the palate, behind the front teeth, to the gums and are intended to replenish the area and improve the function of the gums. Connective tissue grafts are a great treatment option for patients with significant gum damage, usually caused by advanced gum disease, but they can be more invasive and comprehensive than some patients prefer. Free gingival grafts can be used for precise, localized treatments that help replenish receding or thinning gums. Free gingival grafts use less tissue to graft the gums, which means a less invasive surgery. It also means less significant results, of course. With a free gingival graft, however, your periodontal surgeon can make precise, more specifically aesthetic modifications to your gums, which can make it the better option when treatment is only required in a smaller area of the mouth.
There are some other types of surgical treatments periodontists use to repair or restore damaged or missing gum tissue, including a type of allografts and pedicle grafts, and you and your periodontist can discuss the options that might be effective for you. If you currently have periodontal disease, the first step will involve treating existing infection before planning for restorative surgeries like gingival tissue grafts. Once damaged or disease tissue is removed, though, you can rest easy knowing there’s a restorative procedure that will help you on your way to a healthy, even smile.