Soft tissue grafting uses special tools and techniques to transplant soft tissue from one area of your mouth to another. Offering a solution for multiple oral health concerns, soft tissue grafting is a very versatile treatment — yet a lot of people aren’t aware of its benefits.
Pacific Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center is a leading provider of state-of-the-art oral health treatments for patients in Oakland, California, including soft tissue grafting. In this post, Brandon Kang, DDS, offers five ways soft tissue grafting could benefit your oral health — now and in the future.
Gum recession is a serious symptom of gum disease, a chronic health problem that affects about half of all American adults. When your gums recede, more of your tooth is exposed to plaque, tartar, and disease-causing germs. Gum grafts restore the normal contours of your gum line to correct recession due to gum disease or other causes, like a grinding habit (bruxism) or smoking.
Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures or sweets often happens when too much of your lower tooth is exposed. Soft tissue grafts help by keeping the lower part of your tooth covered the way it’s supposed to be to reduce extra sensitivity and make it easier to enjoy the foods you love.
Your gums are the first line of defense against germs. If your gums are damaged, thin, or receding, those germs can reach your tooth roots, causing an infection that can spread to your jawbone. Having gum grafting surgery ensures this barrier is sound and healthy, so you can reduce your risk of developing a potentially serious infection.
Tooth loss is a major consequence of deep infections. When germs can reach your root pocket, they set off an inflammatory response that can weaken your tooth roots. Over time, your affected tooth can fall out, and if the infection continues to spread, you can wind up losing multiple teeth.
By restoring your gums, soft tissue grafts can dramatically reduce your risk of deep infections and the tooth loss it can cause.
Jawbone grafts are often used to help secure dental implants in thin jawbones, but soft tissue grafts can also help. Once your implant is placed, a soft tissue graft helps close tiny gaps around the implant to prevent gum disease, protect your implant, and improve overall aesthetics in areas where your natural gum tissue has atrophied.
Gum grafts offer plenty of benefits for your oral health, but they also have aesthetic benefits. If you have a “toothy” smile, gum grafts improve the way your smile looks by enhancing the symmetry between your teeth and gums, helping your smile look more even and balanced. Better smile aesthetics improve your confidence too.
Dr. Kang is skilled in soft tissue grafting and other advanced treatments aimed at helping his patients enjoy optimal oral health at every age. To learn more about soft grafts and if they’re a good solution for you, book an appointment with Dr. Kang online or over the phone today.
