Soft Tissue Grafting

Healthy gingiva (gum tissue) is required to maintain the long-term stability of natural teeth and dental implants. In ideal conditions, the thick (keratinized), non-movable (attached) gingiva that surrounds the neck of a tooth or dental implant protects the underlying supporting bone. Once this durable gingiva has receded away from a tooth or dental implant, the thinner (non-keratinized), movable (unattached) gingiva that remains is much more susceptible to the bacteria in plaque. This leads to inflammation, further gingival recession, and bone loss, which is collectively known as periodontitis (for teeth) or peri-implantitis (for dental implants).