If you are suffering from gum recession or any other condition that requires gum grafting, you may be wondering what gum grafting is, what your options may be for your gum grafting procedure, and what can be done to avoid this procedure in the future.
Below is more information about gum grafting, the difference between FGG and CTG procedures, and more.
What Is Gum Grafting?
Periodontal gum grafting is an oral health procedure that involves the use of healthy tissue to repair the gums of a patient. Often, this is done to treat a receding gumline and cover the root of the tooth. There are a lot of health benefits to a gum grafting procedure, along with aesthetic ones.
Difference Between an FGG and CTG?
There are multiple gum grafting procedures that may be available to a patient. Two common procedures include FGG (free gingival graft) and CTG (connective tissue graft). Below is more information about these two procedures to make it easier to understand the difference:
Connective Tissue Graft
A CTG (connective tissue grafting) procedure is very common. During this procedure, your dentist takes a piece of tissue from deeper in your mouth. They then transplant this tissue to the gums that need to be repaired. This helps with gum sensitivity, thickness, appearance, and more.
Free Gingival Graft
FGG (free gingival grafting) is used to strengthen gums that have become compromised due to recession. During this procedure, your dentist takes tissue from the roof you’re your mouth to repair your gums with.
The main difference between them is that a connective tissue graft only includes the connective tissue, while a free gingival graft includes both the epithelium (the outer layer of tissue) and the connective tissue (the deeper layer of tissue).
Other Grafting Options
Along with the two options above, there are other gum grafting procedures your dentist may choose instead. These include:
Alloderm Graft
Alloderm grafting involves the use of donor tissue instead of tissue from your own mouth. This is a good option for patients that don’t have the right amount of tissue on the roof of their mouth.
Pedicle Graft
A pedicle grafting procedure involves your dentist using gums from near the procedure area to address the gum recession. A patient needs extra tissue near the recession area to perform this procedure.
Avoid Gum Recession
To avoid a gum grafting procedure in the future, it’s important to take good care of your gums. In order to prevent gum recession, you’ll want to:
- Brush and floss every day
- Avoid brushing too hard
- Visit your dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups
- Stop smoking/tobacco use
Contact Us
For more information about gum grafting and the different procedures that may be available, contact us today. We’ll provide you with more information about the procedures and book you an appointment for a consultation and examination.
