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What is a Gum Grafting Procedure

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What is a Gum Grafting Procedure

One procedure that is sometimes done when a tooth has been broken or fractured is grafting to repair the tooth using gums. Gum grafting is usually reserved for severely injured or decayed teeth where there are no remaining healthy teeth. In this procedure, a hole in the gum is created, and a piece of healthy gum tissue from another part of the patient’s mouth is sewn onto the injured area, which will eventually become a new root for natural healing. This process can be done by a top periodontist serving Philadelphia. The procedure is very simple, and the healing is usually very fast.

1. Discuss the Available Gum Grafts Available

The doctor will first evaluate the tooth that has been damaged and then decide which type of graft will work best with that specific tooth. The doctor will consider the width, color, and texture of the gum to make this decision. The part of the gum that can be used is often different than the patient’s teeth. For instance, the patient may have “white” gums that are not suitable for use with “brown” teeth or vice versa.

2. The Preparation of the Tooth for Grafting

Once the surgeon has selected which type of graft to use, they will begin by preparing the tooth for surgery. They may numb the area with local anesthesia or remove any remaining decay around broken teeth. If the tooth is fractured and still has a crown, the dentist may then apply a temporary crown to protect the tooth during surgery. They will also take digital x-rays of the area during this time to ensure that no other underlying problems such as bone loss are present.

3. Relocating the Gum Tissue to the Tooth

Using a surgical knife, the gum tissue is relocated from the inside of a patient’s mouth to a tooth that has been damaged. This is done by cutting a hole where the diseased gum tissue is and relocating it to an area where new healthy tissue can soon regenerate from it. The surgeon then places sutures into the cut that they made to keep it closed while healing occurs. The surgeon will then suture the tissue to the sides of the tooth to remain in place during the healing process.

Using a surgical knife, the gum tissue is relocated from the inside of a patient’s mouth to a tooth that has been damaged. This is done by cutting a hole where the diseased gum tissue is and relocating it to an area where new healthy tissue can soon regenerate from it. The surgeon then places sutures into the cut that they made to keep it closed while healing occurs. The surgeon will then suture the tissue to the sides of the tooth to remain in place during the healing process.

4. After Surgery

Any bleeding from a patient’s mouth will be stopped by applying pressure with a gauze pad or cotton ball from the inside of their mouth. A temporary covering called an O-ring is placed over the grafted area to protect it while it heals. The O-ring will typically be removed in one or two weeks when there is no longer any possibility of infection.

Patients who have been through a procedure have no reason to feel anxious about their healed teeth. A top periodontist serving Philadelphia is capable of doing all necessary procedures to restore any damaged teeth. If you have any questions regarding the procedures that a top periodontist serving Philadelphia can provide, you can contact us.