When Would I Need a Soft Tissue Graft?
If you notice any of the signs of periodontal disease, make an appointment with your dentist, as this could be an indication that you would benefit from a soft-tissue graft. While periodontal disease isn’t the only thing that can damage the gums, it’s a pretty common culprit, and it requires intervention by a dental specialist. Sometimes, what appears to be periodontal disease might be something else, but only a dental professional should make that diagnosis, and only a dental professional can provide treatment. Regardless of the cause, the sooner the symptoms are treated, the better the outcomes, as gum recession or damage tends to continue without intervention.
If you notice any of the following, call your dentist and make an appointment.
- Receding gums
- Prolonged gum inflammation
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- Your tooth roots are visible when you smile or speak
- Your teeth appear longer than normal
- Your teeth feel loose or mobile
Receding gums are characterized by the gum line receding as the gums pull away from the teeth. This leaves the tooth roots exposed, increasing tooth sensitivity and making the teeth look longer than they should, while increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. While periodontal disease is characterized by receding gums, the gums can also recede because of certain orthodontic treatments, improper brushing techniques, or simply due to aging. Soft-tissue grafts help protect the teeth and their roots, reducing sensitivity and protecting from gum disease and further recession. When the gums recede because of brushing techniques, your dentist will review and correct your brushing habits to ensure that the gums don’t continue to recede and to protect any grafts that may be in place.
Prolonged inflammation in the gums is a common sign of underlying periodontal disease, which generates additional gum recession and inflammation and eventually leads to the destruction of gum, bone, and connective tissue in the oral cavity. Replenishing and replacing lost gum tissue with soft-tissue grafts helps protect the areas exposed by periodontal disease and keep them protected, preventing further recession and helping to maintain oral health. Soft-tissue grafts also help protect against tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is often an indication that the tooth roots are becoming exposed as the gums recede. The roots of our teeth aren’t protected by the durable enamel that supports the crowns of our teeth and gives them their luster, but healthy gum tissue is designed to sit snugly against our teeth and protect the roots. This is particularly important because the tooth roots are teeming with nerve endings, which means that they grow more sensitive with less tissue protecting them from the elements.
It’s also important because exposed tooth roots pose additional health risks. Without the protection of enamel, tooth roots are more likely to wear down when they’re exposed, making exposed roots more prone to tooth decay. Covering the tooth roots provides protection against both of these outcomes. When periodontal disease is present and has advanced, it may be characterized by noticeably loose teeth. As the gum tissue, connective tissues, and jawbone are ravaged by bacterial inflammation, the teeth become looser and can eventually fall out completely. While soft-tissue grafts alone aren’t sufficient to keep loose teeth in place when the surrounding tissues are diminished, they are often combined with bone grafts as part of a more comprehensive dental restoration, and they can help stabilize the teeth. Of course, there are also aesthetic benefits that come with a redesigned, even gum line, and desiring a more attractive, confident smile is reason enough to ask your dentist about whether you need a soft-tissue graft and to learn what type of soft-tissue graft might best meet your aesthetic and clinical needs.
Related Article: What Are the Steps for a Soft Tissue Graft?