Soft-Tissue Grafting, Esthetic Gum Recontouring

Soft Tissue Grafting

Don’t panic if Dr. DeSantis tells you that you need a gum graft. It sounds worse than it really is. A gum graft may be necessary to protect your teeth from the damaging effects of gum recession, or you may choose grafting to improve the appearance of your smile.

Gum recession occurs when the tissue that surrounds your teeth pulls away and exposes more tooth or even the tooth’s root. This can also cause damage to the supporting jawbone. Gum recession affects up to 12% of adults and often goes unnoticed until it becomes severe.

Eventually, gum recession can cause tooth loss if left untreated. Soft tissue grafting can repair the damage, prevent further dental problems and improve the appearance of your smile.

Connective-tissue grafts are the most common method for treating receding gums and root exposure. During this procedure, Dr. DeSantis removes a flap of skin from the roof of your mouth along with tissue from under the flap. This connective tissue is then stitched to your gum tissue surrounding the exposed root.

Esthetic Gum Recontouring

Are your gums too low or too high on your teeth? Are you unhappy with your smile? If so, you may be a candidate for gum recontouring. Also called gum reshaping or tissue sculpting, this cosmetic procedure can correct an uneven gum line and give you the smile you want.

Gums that make your teeth appear long are often caused by gum recession, where gum tissue pulls back from a tooth and exposes the root. This condition can lead to serious dental problems such as decay and tooth loss. Gum recession can also be a sign of periodontal disease, leading to deterioration of supporting structures such as gums and bone.