Connective Tissue Grafting

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the exposed root surfaces in areas of recession are where the most tooth decay is occurring in the human population.  Connective tissue grafting is the procedure we use to cover the exposed root surfaces so they will not decay. There are two types of soft tissue grafting, free gingival grafting and connective tissue grafting. Of the two, free gingival grafting is the more painful and less effective procedure for covering root surfaces; it is commonly used to prevent recession.  We use another more comfortable and predictable procedure called connective tissue grafting to repair areas of recession. Connective tissue grafts form a long-term attachment to the roots to ensure that they remain covered for decades. This procedure is especially useful for covering roots in areas that show. The color match is excellent and it is hard to tell where the graft was done.