What is a Periodontics CTG?

Connective tissue grafts, usually abbreviated as CTG, are treatments that supplement and support receding gum tissue or precariously thin gum tissue around the roots of a natural tooth or around a dental implant. Gum tissue serves a protective purpose as well as an aesthetic one, and, when this tissue recedes, it exposes the vulnerable tooth roots, along with the bone that supports the tooth, to destructive bacteria and other irritants. This can lead to oral pain or tooth sensitivity, and it can also make the teeth and bone more susceptible to the destruction caused by periodontal disease. Because of the protective role of the gum tissue, gingival recession can adversely affect dental implants just as it does tooth roots, leaving all the oral tissues unnecessarily vulnerable to periodontal disease. While CTG surgery is most often used to treat periodontal disease, periodontal disease isn’t the only cause of gum recession. For example, some people brush too aggressively, damaging their gums, and some people simply have naturally thin gum tissue, which might benefit, cosmetically and functionally, from restoration or reinforcement. Ultimately, repairing receding gums with CTG treatment can effectively treat gingival recession that ranges from moderate to severe, providing comprehensive root coverage and protection with highly predictable, aesthetically superior results.

Connective tissue grafts are the most popular way to repair compromised gum tissue, though the CTG isn’t the only method. Other common treatments include free gingival grafts, allografts, and pedicle grafts, and periodontists also rely on supplemental treatments like guided tissue regeneration to make sure the gums are fully, naturally restored. In simple terms, CTG treatment is a common periodontal surgery that uses healthy oral tissues to cover and protect exposed tooth roots. This helps reduce the sensitivity that comes with exposed tooth roots while improving the appearance of the gum line and protecting against bone, tooth, and additional gum loss.

To complete a periodontal connective tissue graft, the dentist makes an incision in the soft oral tissue to extract some of the connective tissue that lies beneath the outer surface before suturing that surface back together. These tissues are usually taken from the gingival and palatal tissues behind the upper front teeth. After extraction, this tissue is placed behind or underneath the existing gum tissue in the areas of recession before being stitched into place, creating a natural appearance and consistent color palette while providing optimal coverage and protection for the tooth root and surrounding oral tissues. Connective tissue graft procedures are often completed in an hour or less. Once the gums have healed, they seal snugly around the teeth, helping protect them from plaque and bacteria. While some discomfort is common as patients heal from CTG surgery, periodontists use local anesthetics to fully numb the surgical areas so the procedure itself is painless, and most cases heal quickly and without issue. Because the graft tissue is extracted from the patient’s own mouth, the CTG procedure includes two surgical sites, and both require care and monitoring during healing. As long as the patient is conscientious about aftercare, initial symptoms will resolve in under two weeks, and it shouldn’t take more than a month or two for full integration of the gum graft. Once the oral tissues have healed, and with continued effective oral hygiene, you can expect your connective tissue grafts to improve your smile and your periodontal health for a lifetime.

Related Article: Are there different types of tissue grafts for periodontics?