Soft Tissue Grafting in Central London

When you lose gum tissue to periodontal (gum) disease, the gumline recedes, making the teeth appear longer. If there is sufficient bone volume but insufficient soft tissue volume, a Soft tissue grafting procedure is performed to prevent or correct recession or to enhance the soft tissue volume in a dental implant site.

Three different types of gum Soft tissue grafting are typically performed. Which type we use on you will depend on your specific needs. The graft procedures include:

• Connective-tissue grafts – used to treat root exposure.
  During the procedure, a flap of skin is cut at the roof of your mouth (palate) and tissue from under the flap (‘subepithelial connective tissue’) is removed and then stitched to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed root. After the graft has been removed from under the palatal flap, the flap is stitched back down.
• Free gingival grafts – a small amount of tissue is removed directly from the palate and then attached to the gum area being treated. This method is used most often in people who have thin gums to begin with and need additional tissue to enlarge the gums.
• Pedicle grafts – involves the “sharing” of soft tissue between the affected site and adjacent gum. The flap, called a pedicle, is only partially cut away so that one edge remains attached. The gum is then pulled over or down to cover the exposed root and sewn into place. This procedure can only be done in people who have plenty of gum tissue near the tooth.
• Sometimes, tissue-stimulating proteins are used to encourage your body’s natural ability to grow bone and tissue.