A gum graft, also called soft tissue grafting, places new gum tissue over an exposed tooth root or gum that has become too thin, then stitches it in place. Redondo Beach Dental Group offers gum grafting in Redondo Beach, a short drive from Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Torrance.
If you have been told you need a graft, or your teeth look longer and feel sensitive near the gumline, call (310) 542-6988 to book a gum evaluation.
What a Gum Graft Does
A gum graft adds gum tissue where there is not enough of it. Most grafts are done because the gum has pulled back, leaving part of the root exposed. Roots have no enamel, so an exposed root is more likely to feel sensitive and to wear or decay. Covering it protects the tooth, can ease sensitivity and evens out the gumline. A graft can also thicken thin, fragile gum before it recedes further.
Not every case of receding gums needs a graft. Finding the cause and deciding whether a root needs covering at all is the first step of gum recession treatment.
Types of Gum Graft
The main difference between gum grafts is where the new tissue comes from, and that decides how many places in your mouth need to heal.
Tissue from the roof of your mouth
The palate is the most common source of graft tissue. A connective tissue graft takes tissue from just under the surface of the palate and is often used to cover exposed roots. A free gingival graft takes a thin strip from the surface and is often used to thicken gum that is too thin. Either way, the palate is a second area that has to heal.
Tissue from the gum next to the tooth
A pedicle graft uses gum from beside the receded area. The tissue stays partly attached and is moved over the root, so there is only one area to heal. It needs enough healthy gum next to the tooth.
Tissue from a tissue bank
Graft tissue can also come from a tissue bank instead of your own mouth, which avoids a second surgical site in the palate.
Which type suits you depends on how thick your gum is, how many teeth are involved, how much bone remains between the teeth and how much tissue is needed. Your dentist will explain the choice after measuring your gums. In some cases, proteins that encourage the body’s natural healing may also be applied to the area, and you can ask whether L-PRF therapy, made from a small sample of your own blood, suits your graft.
What Happens During a Gum Graft
- Any gum disease is brought under control first, often with scaling and root planing, because a graft placed over infected gum is unlikely to hold.
- The area is numbed with local anesthetic.
- The root surface is cleaned and a small space is prepared in the gum to receive the graft.
- The graft tissue is taken from the palate or nearby gum, or prepared from a tissue bank.
- The graft is positioned over the root and stitched in place. If tissue came from the palate, that area may be covered as well.
Recovery After a Gum Graft
Some soreness and swelling at the graft site is normal for the first few days. If tissue was taken from the roof of your mouth, that area is often the more uncomfortable of the two and can take longer to heal. In a 2016 randomized trial published in the Journal of Periodontology, 25% of palate donor sites covered with a standard gelatin dressing had fully healed over by the end of the third week. Grafts from nearby gum or a tissue bank leave no wound in the palate.
Aftercare for the first weeks
- Follow the instructions you are given, which come before any general advice
- Do not brush or floss the grafted area until you are told it is safe, and keep cleaning the rest of your mouth as usual
- Eat soft, cool foods and chew on the other side
- Do not pull your lip out to look at the graft, which can disturb it
- Avoid smoking and tobacco, which slow healing and make a graft less likely to take
- Call the office if bleeding does not stop with gentle pressure, or if swelling or pain gets worse after the third day
Keeping the result
Once the area has healed, a soft-bristled toothbrush and light pressure protect both the graft and the rest of your gumline. If you have had gum disease treatment, regular periodontal maintenance visits help keep the gums around the graft stable.
Risks of Gum Grafting
Possible problems after gum grafting include bleeding, swelling, infection, lasting sensitivity, soreness in the palate, and a graft that does not fully take, which may leave part of the root uncovered or need a second procedure. Smoking and active gum disease raise these risks. Tell your dentist about any medications you take, especially blood thinners.
Alternatives to a Gum Graft
Small, stable recession that does not cause sensitivity may only need watching and gentler brushing. When a root does need covering and there is enough healthy gum nearby, the Chao Pinhole® technique moves your existing gum over the root through a small opening, with no tissue taken from the palate. It does not add new tissue, so gum that is too thin usually still needs a graft.
What a Gum Graft Costs
The cost of a gum graft depends on how many teeth are treated, the type of graft and where the tissue comes from, and whether gum disease has to be treated first. Ask for an estimate after your evaluation so you know the number before treatment starts.
Many dental plans cover part of a gum graft when it is needed to protect an exposed root or treat gum disease, while grafting done mainly for appearance is less likely to be covered. Your deductible and annual maximum still apply. We accept PPO plans; ask us how your plan applies to this treatment. For the remaining balance, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, plus an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gum grafting surgery?
Gum grafting surgery places new gum tissue over an exposed tooth root or thin gum and stitches it in place. The tissue usually comes from the roof of the mouth, from gum next to the tooth or from a tissue bank.
How much should gum grafting cost?
The cost of gum grafting depends on the number of teeth treated, the type of graft and whether other gum treatment is needed first. An exam is needed for an accurate estimate.
Will insurance pay for gum graft?
Dental insurance often pays for part of a gum graft when it is needed for gum health, such as protecting an exposed root. A graft done mainly for appearance is less likely to be covered, and your deductible, waiting periods and annual maximum still apply. Ask the office how your plan applies before treatment.
How urgent is it to get a gum graft?
A gum graft is rarely an emergency, but it should not be put off for years once recommended. Recession that keeps progressing can expose more of the root and lose bone between the teeth, which makes full coverage harder. Stable recession can often be monitored, so ask your dentist how quickly your case is changing.
How risky is gum grafting?
Gum grafting carries the usual risks of minor surgery: bleeding, swelling, infection, soreness in the palate and a graft that does not fully take. Smoking and untreated gum disease make problems more likely.
What stage is too late for a gum graft?
A gum graft can still help in advanced recession, but the chance of fully covering the root drops as bone and gum between the teeth are lost. At that point a graft may be used to thicken and protect the gum rather than to cover the whole root. Treating recession earlier keeps more options open.
What can I do instead of a gum graft?
Alternatives to a gum graft depend on the case. Mild, stable recession may only need a softer toothbrush and monitoring, and the Chao Pinhole technique can cover roots by moving existing gum when there is enough healthy tissue nearby. Gum that is too thin usually still needs a graft.
Does a gum graft hurt?
A gum graft is done under local anesthetic, so most people feel pressure rather than pain during the procedure. Soreness afterward is common for a few days, especially in the roof of the mouth when tissue is taken from there, and over-the-counter pain relief is often enough.
Book a Gum Evaluation in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online.