What is a Soft Tissue Graft?
Dentists use soft-tissue grafts to replenish and restore gum tissue, which could be compromised or diminished for a variety of reasons. Some people restore their gums for aesthetic reasons, but healthy gums do far more than provide a pretty pink border for your smile. The primary function of the gums is actually to cushion the teeth against the stresses of daily functions and to protect the teeth from oral bacteria. Gum tissue serves the same protective purpose for both the natural teeth, and for dental implants. When gum tissue is insufficient to serve these functions, the long-term results could include tooth loss or implant failure. The soft-tissue graft itself is a piece of soft tissue that is transplanted to the patient’s mouth, sutured to the site where gum tissue is lacking with the goal of restoring the protective function and symmetrical appearance of healthy gum tissue.
Some of the reasons a person might have compromised or insufficient gum tissue include:
- Periodontal disease
- Overly aggressive tooth brushing or flossing
- Early tooth loss
- Injury or trauma to the face
- Braces or other orthodontic devices that cause the teeth to move
- Certain systemic diseases
- Treatment for diseases of the mouth, head, or neck, like some cancers
- Dental extractions or other oral surgeries
In some cases, the gums may have sustained only mild damage; in these cases, dentists can often monitor the gums at regular dental checkups, ensuring that they’re still adequately protecting the teeth and planning for treatment if and when the need arises. If the gum tissue has been damaged by brushing or flossing habits, modifying these habits is often sufficient to preserve the remaining healthy tissue, though grafts could still be an option if the appearance of your receding gums bothers you. Grafts are an excellent solution when gum tissue is damaged by a discrete event, like an injury or orthodontic treatment. Soft-tissue grafts are also used in preparation for dental implants and may be performed alongside bone grafts; all grafts are given plenty of time to heal before implants are placed. Gum grafts are performed with a variety of anesthetic options, and your dental team will help you determine your best options for anesthesia and also for the grafts themselves.
There are three common sources for the tissue used in soft-tissue grafts: gum tissue from elsewhere in the patient’s own mouth, palatal tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth, and something called acellular dermal matrix, which is processed from cadaver tissue. When the gum tissue near the area of concern is healthy and supple, a procedure called a pedicle flap can be performed. In this procedure, tissue adjacent to the treatment area is loosened, and the resulting flap of tissue is repositioned before being sutured into place. If there isn’t sufficient healthy gum tissue present, dentists will recommend a different method. This could include using palatal tissue, derived from the roof of the patient’s mouth, or acellular dermal matrix tissue. Acellular dermal matrix tissue is derived from human cadavers; this tissue is processed so that no cells from the human donor remain in the tissue, which means that no cells – and no diseases – can be transferred to the patient along with the graft tissue.
Each of these graft types has its own characteristics and its own benefits and drawbacks, and your dental team will make sure you have all the information you need as you plan your soft-tissue graft. Recovery from most graft procedures is pretty quick, and patients usually recover within one or two weeks, though it takes several months for the graft tissue to fully integrate with the natural tissue. So why wait? Call your dentist today and begin your journey to a healthier, happier smile.
Related Article: When Would I Need a Soft Tissue Graft?