Gum Grafting

Common signs include visible root surfaces on one or more teeth, sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods, teeth that appear longer than they used to, and gum tissue that looks thin or uneven. Your periodontist will measure the level of recession at each affected tooth and evaluate whether grafting is the right course of action. In some cases, monitoring is appropriate; in others, treatment is recommended before the recession progresses further.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the surgery. Afterward, some soreness and swelling is normal for the first few days, particularly at the graft site and, if tissue was taken from the palate, at that donor site as well. Most patients find recovery manageable with the pain relief and care instructions we provide. Allografts, which use donor tissue rather than tissue from your own palate, tend to involve a more comfortable recovery since there is only one surgical site.

The main types are connective tissue grafts, free gingival grafts, and allografts. A connective tissue graft uses tissue taken from under the surface of your palate and is the most common technique for covering exposed roots. A free gingival graft takes tissue directly from the surface of the palate and is often used when the goal is to thicken gum tissue rather than cover recession. An allograft uses processed donor tissue, which means there is no second surgical site in your mouth. Your periodontist will recommend the technique best suited to your anatomy and the extent of recession.

Most patients feel comfortable within the first week and return to normal activities fairly quickly. The graft tissue integrates with the surrounding gums over the following two to four weeks. Full maturation of the graft, meaning the tissue is fully stable and indistinguishable from the surrounding gum, takes a few months. During the healing period you will need to follow specific care instructions including a modified diet and avoiding brushing directly over the graft site until cleared by your periodontist.

If your jawbone is not dense or wide enough to support an implant, a bone graft may be recommended first to build up the area. This is a common additional step, not a disqualifying one. Socket preservation done at the time of extraction can often prevent significant bone loss and reduce the need for grafting later. Your periodontist will assess your bone levels using imaging and let you know whether grafting is part of your plan.

In most cases, yes. The goal of gum grafting is to create a result that blends naturally with your surrounding tissue in both color and texture. With an experienced periodontist, the aesthetic outcome is generally very good. You may notice the repaired areas look fuller and more even, and the sensitivity that comes with exposed roots typically resolves once the graft has healed. We will show you before and after cases during your consultation so you have a realistic expectation of what the outcome can look like.