As with hair, skin and nails, the firm soft tissue of the mouth has keratin as a major component. Keratinized tissue or gingiva helps both natural teeth and implants by conferring a firm attachment to the tooth root. Around implants, this type of tissue is helpful as it reduces the chances for implant disease or peri-implantitis. It confers a tight almost rubber band type of support around the implant platform and is easier to clean and maintain. Often times, patients can notice where there is a deficiency of keratinized gingiva as it can ache and be bothersome when the prosthetic is worn or during hygiene procedures. Above, note there is less “pink” tissue around the back two implants prior to grafting and the abundance of this keratinized gingiva after soft tissue grafting.
Dr. Anderson performed a free gingival graft on the posterior implants so that our patient, JB could wear her prosthetic pain free. After grafting, JB comfortably wears her lower overdenture and is pleased with her result. Contact Anderson Periodontal Wellness if you would like to learn more about the above. During your consultation, Dr. Anderson will evaluate your smile and tailor a treatment plan to meet your needs.
