Gum Grafting – Bloomington IL

Soft Tissue grafting

When the recession of the gingiva occurs, the body loses a natural defense against both bacterial penetration and trauma. When gum recession is a problem, gum reconstruction using soft tissue grafting techniques is an option.

When the recession is only minor, some healthy attached gingiva often remains and protects the tooth. By using proper tooth brushing techniques, patients may experience “creeping attachment” which may allow the soft tissue to rebound and cover the root surface. However, when recession reaches the mucosa (the tissue which lines the cheeks), the first line of defense against bacterial penetration is lost and may require soft tissue grafting.

In addition, gum recession may result in root sensitivity to hot and cold foods as well as create an unsightly appearance of the gum and tooth. When significant, gum recession can cause a worsening recession and expose the root surface, which is softer than enamel, and lead to root decay and root abrasion.

Before

After

A gingival graft is designed to solve these problems. Noraian employs periodontal plastic surgery techniques to restore the gum tissue seal, to restore the recession and to reduce sensitivity. Among your options are:

1. Palatal Connective Tissue Autograft – This method involves harvesting a piece of soft tissue from the palate and transplanting it underneath the gum tissue where the seal is compromised.
2. Donor Human Dermal Allograft – This method involves reconstituting human acellular cadaver-sourced dermis, or skin, and transplanting it underneath the gum tissue where the seal is compromised.
3. Donor Human Amnion-Chorion Allograft – This method involves placing human acellular placenta tissue underneath the gum tissue where the seal is compromised.
4. Sliding Pedicle Graft – This method utilizes special incisions to slide attached gum tissue from a neighboring tooth with or without one of the above graft options to re-establish the seal over the root.

Since 2000, Noraian has used periodontal plastic surgery to restore the attached gum tissue around teeth with receding and/or sensitive roots. Regardless of the tissue option selected, the technique first involves microsurgery to make a small pouch where the seal needs to be restored. Next, the root surface is cleaned and medicated with an antimicrobial rinse. The graft is then placed in the pouch and the soft tissue is brought up around it with sutures and then sealed with some other dressing material. During the first two weeks post-operatively, you are instructed to avoid chewing and brushing on the grafted area, avoid straws, and return for a two-week post-operative visit to check sutures and review home care instructions. At the six week visit, Noraian will perform some periodontal charting, and generate a clearance letter. Occasionally you might need an additional follow-up visit.

Using your own palatal tissue was the first method developed for treating recession and runs the risk of causing temporary or permanent numbness in the roof of the mouth in addition to discomfort during the healing process. If you know someone who has had tissue harvested from their palate, they may have told you how uncomfortable it was for them. For procedures using your own tissue, Noraian can have a special appliance made ahead of time, called a palatal stent, to help cover the palatal wound and reduce discomfort.

Using donor tissues has become a method in which Noraian is very comfortable. The Human Acellular Dermal Allograft was the first method Noraian used with great success with the plastic surgery technique, but the inflammation was significant and patients were concerned about the odor. Noraian still discusses this option with patients but since 2008, it has given way to the use of Human Acellular Amnion-Chorion Allograft. Both tissues are freeze-dried and acellular so the body does not recognize these tissues as foreign so your body will not reject the new tissue. The amnion-chorion allograft is derived from tissue donated by mothers who deliver healthy babies via Caesarean section (sterile surgical delivery) and has been used for eye surgery for over 15 years.

American Association of Tissue Banks Protocol

All of the donor tissues used by Noraian follow the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) protocol for safety. By the amnion-chorion allograft has surpassed the other options in patient selection, and with Noraian, it is always your choice as to which tissue option to use.

Regardless of which tissue option you choose, the gingival graft procedure is highly predictable and results in a stable, healthy band of attached tissue around the tooth.

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