Gum Grafting

Gum tissue is the seal that protects the roots of your teeth. Unlike the crowns of your teeth, roots have no enamel, so once they're exposed they're more vulnerable to sensitivity, decay, and continued recession. Recession can come from aggressive brushing, grinding and clenching, the way teeth are positioned in the arch, thin tissue that runs in families, or — very commonly — gum disease that has broken down the attachment between gum and bone.

A graft restores what was lost rather than simply slowing further damage. We place donor tissue, often taken from the roof of the mouth, over the thinned or missing area and suture it into position so it can heal and integrate with the surrounding gum. The result is a thicker, more durable band of tissue that stands up better to brushing and daily wear. For many patients the benefit is immediate relief from sensitivity; for others, the real value is long-term — keeping a tooth stable that was heading toward loosening or extraction.

Good candidates are patients with visible recession, root sensitivity, or gums so thin that recession is likely to continue. We also consider grafting when recession is uneven and affects how a smile looks — a single tooth that appears noticeably longer than its neighbors can be corrected along with the health concern. Because our practice sees patients of all ages, we evaluate teenagers with recession from orthodontic movement or brushing habits as well as adults who have watched a problem area creep for years.

Timing and sequencing matter. If active gum disease is present, we treat it first with scaling and root planing and periodontal maintenance, since a graft placed into inflamed tissue has a harder job. If grinding is driving the recession, a night guard — made in our in-house lab — may be part of the plan. Grafting also pairs with other procedures: we perform bone grafting, crown lengthening, and gum contouring in the same office, and we restore implant and denture cases here as well, which means the whole plan can be coordinated under one roof rather than split between practices. For patients who feel anxious about any surgical visit, we offer nitrous oxide sedation and IV sedation, and our comfort menu includes blankets, warm towels, neck pillows, headphones, Netflix, and refreshments.

Cost, Insurance, and Making It Affordable

We accept all major PPO insurance plans and file claims for you, and we're glad to run a complimentary benefits check before you commit to anything so you know where you stand. We also welcome self-pay patients and accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

If you don't have insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for ages 18 and up and $99 for ages 17 and under, with no deductibles, no annual maximum, no waiting period, and no pre-authorizations. It covers exams, X-rays, two cleanings, and two fluoride treatments at 100%, plus 20% to 50% off other treatment. CareCredit financing is available for patients who prefer to spread payments out.