Gum and bone dental grafting available in Alliston, ON
In medical terms, grafting simply means to replace lost, diseased, or injured tissue with material that becomes part of the body. In keeping with her comprehensive approach to dental care, Dr. Oksana Vozna offers both soft and hard tissue grafting procedures at Dominion Street Dental in Alliston, ON.
When gum grafting is recommended
Soft tissue grafting is performed to correct receding gums. As a cosmetic measure, it improves smile appearance, while reducing risk of tooth decay where root structure is exposed. Gum grafting can also be an important facet of treatment for periodontal disease.
There are three basic grafting techniques:
- Connective tissue graft – A small piece of tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth. It is taken from an internal layer, so the surface closes and heals quickly. The sample is sutured into place where gums have pulled back.
- Free gingival graft – When a larger specimen is needed, it is taken directly from the outermost layer of the roof of the mouth.
- Pedicle or lateral graft – If there is ample gum tissue near the site of recession, it can be stretched and stitched to cover exposed areas.
Regardless of the method, the procedure is performed at the dental office. Usually only local numbing is needed.
How Allison, ON patients benefit from bone grafting
When teeth are lost, the body begins a process called resorption. It sends minerals and nutrients from socket to bone in other areas where there is greater need. This allows facial features to collapse, and impacts the fit of restorations and appliances. In some cases, there is not enough bone to support dental implants.
Bone grafting is a relatively minor oral surgery. Dr. Vozna uses bone from an area of the jaw where there is plenty, synthetic material, or processed bone minerals. The graft is placed and covered with a collagen membrane. As the body integrates with the graft, new bone builds around it.
Grafting may also be recommended to supplement bone after an extraction, or to save loose teeth compromised by severe periodontal disease.