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Gum graft

A gum graft is a generic name for multiple periodontal procedures that all aim to cover an area of severe gum recession with grafted gum tissue. The purpose of covering the exposed root is not only cosmetic, but also to prevent further recession and tooth decay.

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Specific procedures

A free gingival graft is a dental procedure where a layer of tissue is removed from the palate of the patient's mouth and then relocated to the site of gum recession. It is stitched into place and will serve to protect the exposed root as living tissue. The donor site will heal without damage.

A lateral graft, also known as a "pedicle" graft, takes tissue from the area immediately adjacent to the damaged gum. This is not always an option, as the constraint that there must be sufficient tissue immediately lateral to the area of interest is an onerous one. When this procedure is performed, the transplant tissue is cut away and rotated over the damaged area. This can place the donor area at risk of recession as well.

A subepithelial connective tissue graft takes tissue from under healthy gum tissue in the palate.

Sources

Gum Recession

v • d • e Periodontology and Implant Dentistry
Tissues of the periodontium and their physiologic entities	Alveolar bone - Biologic width - Cementum - Free gingival margin - Gingiva - Gingival fibers - Gingival sulcus - Junctional epithelium - Mucogingival junction - Periodontal ligament - Sulcular epithelium - Stippling
Pathogenesis	A. actinomycetemcomitans - B. forsythus - Capnocytophaga sp. - F. nucleatum - P. gingivalis - P. intermedia - T. denticola
Pathologic entities	Calculus - Edentulism - Fremitus - Gingival enlargement - Gingival pocket - Gingivitis - Horizontal bony defect - Occlusal trauma - Periodontal pocket - Periodontal disease - Plaque - Recession - Vertical bony defect
Diagnosis, treatment planning, prevention and chemotherapeutic agents	Brushing - Bleeding on probing - Chlorhexidine gluconate - Flossing - Hydrogen peroxide - Mouthwash - Oral hygiene - Tetracycline - Triclosan
Periodontal armamentarium	Currette - Membrane - Probe - Scaler
Conventional therapy	Debridement - Scaling and root planing
Surgical therapy and periodontal surgery	Apically positioned flap - Bone graft - Coronally positioned flap - Crown lengthening - Flap debridement - Free gingival graft - Gingivectomy - Guided bone regeneration - Guided tissue regeneration - Implant Placement - Lateral pedicle graft - Pocket reduction surgery - Sinus lift - Subepithelial connective tissue graft
Other specialties	Endodontology - Orthodontology - Prosthodontology