Soft Tissue Grafts
Exposed tooth roots are the result of gum recession. Often times an exposed root surface may be an esthetic concern, especially when on a front tooth. The exposed root gives the appearance of the tooth being longer than the matching tooth on the other side of your smile. Other times, though the exposed root may not change your appearance, you may experience significant sensitivity of the root surface to hot or cold food or liquids
Your gums may have receded for a variety of reasons, including aggressive tooth brushing or periodontal disease. You may not be in control of what caused the recession, but prior to treatment it is important for us to help you identify the factors contributing to the problem. Once these contributing factors are controlled, a soft tissue graft procedure will repair the defect and help to prevent additional recession and bone loss.
Soft tissue grafts can be used to cover roots or develop gum tissue where absent due to excessive gingival recession. During this procedure, gum tissue may be taken from your palate or another donor source to cover the exposed root. This can be done for one tooth or several teeth to even your gum line and reduce sensitivity.

Autogenous Tissue Graft
A soft tissue graft can be performed utilizing tissue from your own palate (autogenous tissue). During this procedure, a small incision is made in the roof of your mouth so the graft can be procured and transferred to the recipient site over the exposed root surface. Once removed, the palatal site is closed with a small suture and covered with an acrylic retainer similar to an orthodontic retainer. This works well to protect the area from irritation while eating for the first few days. Your body will fill this area back in with new tissue rather quickly, leaving no evidence of the procedure ever being performed.

Allogenic Tissue Graft
An allogenic tissue graft is performed in the same manner as an autogenous tissue graft (palatal tissue), except for the palatal donor site. A very safe and effective donor tissue is available that can be substituted for palatal tissue. This material, AlloDerm®, is a dermal matrix processed from donated human tissue following guidelines set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and American Association of Tissue Banks. It is processed in such a manner that all of the cellular components are removed, leaving it as a tissue scaffold. Once implanted, your cells and blood vessels will grow into the material, turning it you're your own tissue within 14 days.