Soft Tissue Grafting

If you experience gum or soft tissue recession due to tooth loss or periodontal disease, Implant & Periodontal Associates NW provides soft tissue grafting in Richland, Washington. This treatment uses healthy, grafted tissue to restore areas of the mouth. Learn more about this treatment by calling our dental office at Implant & Periodontal Associates NW Phone Number (509) 542-9111 and scheduling an appointment with our periodontist, Dr. Vikas Puri.

Soft tissue grafting is an oral surgery treatment that is used for patients who have extensive damage to gum tissue, either from dental trauma or periodontal disease. Also called gum grafting, soft tissue grafting transplants gingival tissue into the areas of the mouth that have experienced tissue recession. If not treated quickly, the loss of gum tissue can contribute to the loss of teeth, as well.

When conducting soft tissue grafting, we use tissue taken from other healthy areas of the mouth or from a tissue bank to stitch a graft into the areas of the gums that need to be restored. Over time, the new tissue will heal and be absorbed into the old tissue, which will help restore the areas of the mouth affected by gum recession. Our periodontist may also use special medication and proteins to help your body heal faster and promote natural growth.

Our periodontist will explain the procedure to you if you need tissue grafting so that you know what to expect as we help you achieve optimal oral health.

Causes for Loss of Gingival Tissue

• Over-aggressive brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush
• Hereditary thin gum tissue that begins to recede over time
• Periodontal disease can result which can come from inadequate brushing or flossing, which allows bacteria to grow between teeth and eat away at the underlying bone
• Frequent vomiting from eating disorders
• Dipping tobacco (or other tobacco products)
• Grinding of the teeth (bruxism)
• Piercings in the lip or tongue that wear away gum tissue
• Dentures can wear away gum tissue if fitted incorrectly

Who Needs Gingival Grafting?

Most patients are unaware if their gums are receding. It is often a slow-moving process. However, if the recession has already begun, a patient can tell if they might need a gum graft if their teeth seem to look overly “longer” in height because of the recessed gums. The tooth roots that become exposed will also be a shade or two darker than your tooth crowns.

If you notice these cosmetic issues, it is important to take gum recession extremely serious. While it might not only look unpleasant cosmetically, gum recession can cause a number of health and functionality issues with your smile.

If you experience gum or soft tissue recession due to tooth loss or periodontal disease, Implant & Periodontal Associates NW provides soft tissue grafting here in Richland, Washington. Learn more about this treatment by calling our dental office at Implant & Periodontal Associates NW Phone Number (509) 542-9111 and scheduling an appointment with our periodontist, Dr. Vikas Puri.