IS SOFT TISSUE GRAFTING (ATTACHED MUCOSAL GRAFTING) NEEDED AROUND DENTAL IMPLANTS?

IS SOFT TISSUE GRAFTING (ATTACHED MUCOSAL GRAFTING) NEEDED AROUND DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Yes. This is true of any site, but especially true in compromised sites such as patients who have undergone treatments including radiation therapy or major jaw reconstruction (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 79:560-574, 2021).

Around our healthy teeth there is a band of tissue that is adherent to the bone, typically lighter in color, and firm or thick. This is called attached mucosa. The roof of your mouth is covered in it. In several ways it is a very similar tissue to the palms of your hands. These tissues can form keratin (what a callus on your hand is made of) and these tissues typically respond to stimulation (such as toothbrushing) by becoming thicker and tougher. When these tissues are missing around your teeth (or around a dental implant) there will be inflammation and often over time bone loss occurs.

We are able to graft these tissues in when needed and this usually results in an improved environment around the tooth or dental implant. Again, this is particularly an issue if the area is less healthy to start with such as an immune suppressed patient or an area that has been reconstructed.

In our practice we will try to anticipate these needs ahead of time and incorporate those procedures into a treatment sequence that makes it easiest for you as a patient and also a sequence that tries to expedite care.