First, it is important to understand that the term gingival graft or gum graft does not refer to one specific procedure. In fact, a gingival graft can be used to refer to a number of different periodontal plastic surgery procedures. In most cases, these procedures are performed to re-build or re-enforce gum tissues that have been weakened or lost over-time. In general, gingival tissue for grafting is obtained either from another area of the mouth or body (autograft) or from a donor-tissue source (allograft or xenograft). This tissue is then used to augment the weak or deficient areas of gum tissue.

 Your gums are a very important protective layer covering the bone support around your teeth. When gum tissue is lost or at high risk for breakdown, the bone support which holds your teeth in place can also be lost. If we want to keep teeth for as long as possible, we need to protect their foundation. A Periodontist is a specialist in the gum and bone support around your teeth and can help to evaluate if you need a gingival graft or not.

Techniques and technologies for procedures like gingival grafts are always evolving. Dentists first started performing gingival grafting in the 1970s, and it is fair to say that things have come a long way! 

There are a number of different strategies our Periodontists use to make your recovery as rapid and pain-free as possible:

-       Using more advanced surgical techniques that can reduce the length of your procedure. Shorter surgeries = faster recoveries!

-       Take advantage of the body’s advanced wound healing capacity through platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). You can read more about PRF here: 

-       Covering the surgical areas with a protective barrier.

However, it is important to understand that gingival grafting is still a surgical procedure. It will take longer to recover from than a filling or regular dentistry. Our team is here to help make sure you are properly prepared and have all the tools to make it as manageable as possible. 

 The initial healing is complete after about 4 to 7 days, and that is when you start to feel like you can go back to a more normal routine of eating, exercising and working. By the first follow up appointment at around 2 weeks, most patients are about 80% healed. However, some stitches may remain, and special brushing techniques will be required up to the 4-week mark. The final tissue healing can take months, but you will be back to normal brushing and eating during this time.

Many patients with dental benefits do have some coverage towards tissue grafting; but first, the Periodontist needs to see you for an examination to determine what specific type of grafting is required and the number of teeth affected. Once we have this information, we can send a pre-determination to your dental benefits plan so you know what could be covered and what will be an out of pocket expense.