Gum Grafting & Root Coverage
Gum Grafting and Root Coverage in Fort York
Gum-grafting and root-coverage procedures may be considered for selected areas of gum recession, exposed roots, thin tissue or concerns about tissue stability. The recommended approach depends on the anatomy, treatment goals and condition of the tooth and surrounding tissues.
What Gum Grafting Can Address
Gum-grafting treatment may be considered for concerns such as:
exposed root surfaces
thin or limited gum tissue
sensitivity
uneven gum margins
difficulty maintaining oral hygiene
tissue concerns around natural teeth
selected tissue concerns around implants
Treatment Goals
Depending on the individual situation, possible goals include:
increasing tissue thickness
improving tissue stability
reducing sensitivity
making cleaning easier
covering part or all of an exposed root where predictable
improving gum-margin appearance
Complete root coverage cannot be guaranteed.
Types of Gum-Grafting Treatment
Several techniques exist, and the choice is made case by case. In patient-friendly terms these include:
connective-tissue grafting, where tissue is placed beneath the gum to add thickness
free gingival grafting, where a small piece of tissue is placed on the surface
locally repositioned gum tissue, where nearby tissue is moved to cover an area
other root-coverage techniques selected according to the individual case
No single method is appropriate for everyone. The recommended technique depends on the site, the tissue available and the treatment goals.
Choosing the Appropriate Grafting Approach
Free Gingival Graft — FGG
A free gingival graft is used mainly to add a stronger and wider band of gum tissue around a tooth or dental implant. It may be recommended when the existing gum is very thin, limited or difficult to keep clean. The main goal is usually to improve tissue strength and stability; complete coverage of an exposed root is not always expected.
Connective Tissue Graft — CTG
A connective tissue graft is commonly used to thicken thin gum tissue and improve coverage of an exposed tooth root. It may help reduce sensitivity, improve tissue stability and create a more even gum margin. The amount of root coverage depends on the starting anatomy, bone support and healing, so complete coverage cannot be guaranteed.
The recommended technique depends on the treatment goal, recession pattern, tissue thickness, tooth or implant position, bone support and individual anatomy.
Assessment and Planning
Planning a gum-grafting procedure may involve assessment of:
recession depth
tissue thickness
tooth position
root condition
bone support
inflammation
oral-hygiene habits
smile line
patient goals
medical history
What Patients May Expect
Treatment planning includes discussion of the proposed procedure, reasonable alternatives, expected healing, limitations and possible risks. Individual instructions are provided before and after treatment.
Healing and Results
Healing varies by procedure and patient. Tissue appearance continues to change as healing progresses. The amount of root coverage and tissue improvement depends on the starting anatomy and biological response.
Read post-treatment instructions
About the Dentist
Dr. Maziar Shahzad Dowlatshahi is a general dentist in Ontario whose practice is focused on periodontal, implant, gum-surgery, oral-surgery and related surgical dental treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a gum graft cover the entire exposed root?
Complete coverage may be possible in some situations but cannot be guaranteed. The result depends on the anatomy and condition of the surrounding tissues.
Where does the grafted tissue come from?
The source of graft material depends on the selected technique. The dentist will explain the recommended approach during treatment planning.
Is gum grafting only cosmetic?
No. Treatment may also be recommended to improve tissue thickness, stability, comfort or cleanability.
Can grafting be performed around a dental implant?
Selected soft-tissue procedures may be considered around implants, depending on the implant position, tissue condition and treatment goals.
Related Services
Request a Gum-Grafting Consultation
Book an assessment to discuss gum recession, root coverage or concerns about thin gum tissue.