Gingival Grafting (Gum Grafting) in Beverly Hills
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Restore and Protect Receding Gum Tissue
When the gums recede, the roots of the teeth can become exposed, making teeth appear longer and potentially increasing sensitivity and vulnerability around the affected area.
Gingival grafting, commonly called gum grafting, is a periodontal procedure used to add or reinforce gum tissue in areas where recession or inadequate soft tissue is present.
At Beverly Hills Cosmetic & Implant Center, gum grafting may be recommended to address gum recession, protect exposed tooth roots, improve the appearance of the gumline, or create healthier soft-tissue conditions around natural teeth and dental implants.
Treatment is customized according to the location and severity of the recession, existing gum tissue, oral health, and the patient’s functional and aesthetic goals.
A 3D scan, a clear answer on which option fits you, and a written plan with timeline and cost. No obligation.
What Is Gum Grafting?
Gum grafting is a procedure that adds soft tissue to an area where the gums have receded or where additional gum tissue is needed.
Healthy gums normally surround and protect the teeth while creating a stable transition between the teeth and underlying bone.
When gum tissue moves away from its normal position, part of the tooth root can become exposed. This condition is known as gingival recession or gum recession.
A gum graft can be used to cover an exposed root when clinically appropriate, increase the thickness of existing gum tissue, or improve soft-tissue support in a specific area.
The exact technique depends on the condition being treated.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Gum recession can develop gradually and may not be immediately noticeable.
Potential contributing factors include:
- Periodontal or gum disease
- Aggressive toothbrushing
- Naturally thin gum tissue
- Tooth position
- Genetics and individual anatomy
- Dental trauma
- Tobacco use
- Teeth grinding or excessive forces
- Orthodontic tooth movement
- Inflammation around the gums
- Previous dental procedures
Some patients notice that a tooth appears longer than neighboring teeth, while others first recognize recession because the exposed root becomes sensitive.
Identifying the cause is important because gum grafting addresses the lost or inadequate tissue, while long-term management should also address contributing factors whenever possible.
Signs You May Need a Gum Graft
A professional evaluation can determine whether gum grafting is appropriate, but common signs of gum recession include:
- Teeth that appear longer
- Visible tooth roots
- An uneven gumline
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Gum tissue that appears thin
- Recession that continues to progress
- Changes in the appearance of the smile
- Inadequate soft tissue around a tooth or implant
Not every area of gum recession requires surgery.
The amount of recession, tissue thickness, oral hygiene, symptoms, aesthetic concerns, and risk of progression are considered before treatment is recommended.
Benefits of Gingival Grafting
Depending on the patient’s condition and the type of graft performed, potential benefits may include:
Protecting Exposed Tooth Roots
Adding tissue over or around an exposed root can provide additional protection to an area affected by recession.
Increasing Gum-Tissue Thickness
Some patients naturally have thin gum tissue. Grafting can increase soft-tissue thickness in selected areas when additional tissue is clinically beneficial.
Improving Gumline Appearance
Recession can make one or more teeth appear disproportionately long. Gum grafting may help create a more balanced gumline in appropriate cases.
Reducing Root Sensitivity
Exposed tooth roots can become sensitive to temperature and other stimuli. Root coverage may reduce sensitivity for some patients, although results vary.
Supporting Long-Term Oral Health
Increasing the amount or thickness of healthy gum tissue may help create a more maintainable environment around selected teeth.
Types of Gum Grafting
There are several approaches to gingival grafting. The appropriate technique depends on the location of the recession, the amount and quality of existing gum tissue, and the goals of treatment.
Connective Tissue Graft
A connective tissue graft uses tissue obtained from beneath the surface layer of the palate. The graft is positioned at the treatment site to increase tissue thickness and, when appropriate, provide root coverage.
Free Gingival Graft
A free gingival graft uses a thin layer of tissue taken directly from the palate.
This technique is often used when the primary goal is to increase the amount of firm, protective gum tissue around a tooth or treatment area.
Other Soft-Tissue Grafting Approaches
Depending on the clinical situation, other grafting techniques or materials may be considered.
The recommended procedure is selected according to the individual patient’s anatomy rather than using the same grafting technique for every area of recession.
Gum Grafting and Dental Implants
Healthy soft tissue is also important around dental implants.
In certain situations, additional gum tissue may be recommended before, during, or after dental implant treatment to improve tissue thickness or create a more favorable soft-tissue environment around an implant restoration.
This can be particularly important in areas where aesthetics matter, such as implants replacing front teeth.
At Beverly Hills Cosmetic & Implant Center, soft-tissue considerations can be incorporated into the overall implant treatment plan so that the implant, surrounding gums, and final restoration are evaluated together.
What to Expect During Gum Grafting
Evaluation
The treatment area is examined to determine the amount of recession, quality and thickness of existing gum tissue, root exposure, and surrounding oral health.
Treatment Planning
The appropriate grafting technique is selected according to your anatomy and treatment goals.
If gum recession is related to periodontal disease or another underlying condition, that issue may need to be addressed as part of the treatment plan.
Gum Graft Procedure
The treatment area is numbed using local anesthesia.
Depending on the technique selected, graft tissue or another appropriate material is positioned in the area requiring additional soft tissue and carefully secured.
Healing
The graft and surrounding tissue heal gradually over the following weeks.
The appearance of the treatment area will continue to change as healing progresses and the tissues mature.
Follow-up appointments allow the healing process to be evaluated.
Recovery After Gum Grafting
Some soreness, swelling, tenderness, or minor bleeding can occur after gum graft surgery.
If tissue is obtained from the palate, the donor area may also feel tender during the initial healing period.
Postoperative instructions may include recommendations regarding:
- Oral hygiene around the graft
- Foods to eat or avoid temporarily
- Physical activity
- Managing discomfort
- Protecting the surgical site
- Medications when prescribed
- Follow-up appointments
Patients should avoid brushing, flossing, or disturbing the grafted area until instructed to do so.
Following postoperative directions carefully is particularly important because the graft needs to remain protected during early healing.
How Long Does a Gum Graft Take to Heal?
Initial soft-tissue healing commonly occurs over several weeks, although the exact timeline varies according to the type and extent of grafting.
The tissue continues to mature after the initial recovery period.
Your individual healing time may depend on:
- Type of graft
- Size of the treatment area
- Number of areas treated
- Overall oral health
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Home care
- Individual healing response
Your provider will monitor the graft and advise when normal brushing, flossing, diet, and other activities can be resumed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Grafting
Gingival grafting, or gum grafting, is a procedure used to add soft tissue to an area where the gums have receded or where additional gum tissue is needed. It may be performed to protect exposed tooth roots, increase tissue thickness, or improve the gumline.
You may be evaluated for gum grafting if you have exposed tooth roots, progressive gum recession, thin gum tissue, sensitivity, or aesthetic concerns related to an uneven gumline. Not every case of recession requires surgery, so a dental evaluation is necessary.
Gum tissue that has been lost through recession generally does not simply regenerate to its original position on its own. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of recession. Gum grafting may be recommended when additional tissue or root coverage is needed.
Local anesthesia is used during the procedure to maintain comfort. Some soreness or tenderness can occur during recovery, particularly when tissue is obtained from the palate. The amount of discomfort varies by procedure and individual healing.
Some gum grafting procedures use tissue obtained from the patient’s palate. Other techniques or grafting materials may be appropriate depending on the clinical situation. The recommended approach depends on the area being treated and the goals of the procedure.
In certain cases, yes. Root-coverage procedures can reposition or add tissue over an exposed root. The amount of coverage that can be achieved depends on the type and severity of recession, surrounding bone and tissue, tooth position, and other clinical factors.
Yes. Soft-tissue grafting may sometimes be performed around dental implants when additional tissue thickness or a more favorable gum environment is needed. The timing and technique depend on the individual implant treatment plan.
A successfully healed gum graft can provide long-term improvement, but future tissue stability depends on oral hygiene, periodontal health, brushing technique, tobacco use, tooth position, bite forces, and other contributing factors. Ongoing professional dental care remains important.
Find Out if Gum Grafting Is Right for You
If you have receding gums, exposed tooth roots, thin gum tissue, or concerns about the appearance or health of your gumline, a professional evaluation can help determine whether gingival grafting is appropriate.