Purpose

• Gum grafts are done to prevent bone loss in the teeth, reduce sensitivity to cold and improve the person's smile.
  
  

Procedure

• Tissue is surgically grafted onto the gums where it has receded from the teeth.
  
  

Palate

• Most of the time, the tissue is taken from the soft palate in the roof of the patient's mouth. This area will heal and grow back.
  
  

Donor

• Occasionally, the tissue is taken from a donor, especially in cases that require a larger than normal amount of tissue.
  
  

Frenectomy

• A frenum is an attachment of muscle to the gums. If it is attached too high, it can pull on the gums and cause them to recede. A frenectomy is when this is cut away, and it often is done at the same time as the gum graft.