What Is Gum Grafting?
Gum grafting is a periodontal procedure that restores gum tissue lost to recession, covering exposed tooth roots, protecting the underlying bone, and rebuilding a healthy, natural looking gum line. It uses either your own tissue or a donor tissue substitute, placed precisely along the receding area to encourage the body to grow new, attached gum tissue.
We recommend gum grafting when recession has exposed tooth roots, caused sensitivity, threatened the supporting bone, or created cosmetic concerns. Receding gums do not grow back on their own, and untreated recession typically continues to worsen over time, eventually risking tooth loss.
Patients typically come to us for gum grafting when their teeth appear longer than before, when they experience sensitivity to hot or cold at the gum line, when their general dentist refers them for specialist care, or when they want a holistic approach that addresses both the recession and its underlying causes.
Benefits, Why MD Periodontics
- Stops further recession, grafting halts the progression, and protects the tooth from continued damage
- Covers exposed roots. In most cases, we can fully or substantially cover the exposed root surface, restoring a natural, healthy-looking smile
- Eliminates sensitivity, covering the root drastically reduces or eliminates hot, cold, and brushing sensitivity at the gum line
- Protects supporting bone, healthy gum tissue protects the underlying bone from further loss, helping you keep your teeth for life
- Minimally invasive options available, including the Pinhole Surgical Technique and donor tissue grafts that eliminate the need to take tissue from the roof of your mouth
- Whole body wellness perspective, healthier gums reduce chronic inflammation and support long-term oral and systemic health
- Beverly Hills specialist expertise, Dr. Moshrefi has decades of advanced training in all major gum grafting techniques, and Dr. Daneshmand brings USC-trained precision and a holistic philosophy to every plan we design together
Who Is a Candidate?
Most patients with gum recession in one or more areas are candidates for gum grafting. The right approach depends on the severity of the recession, the cause, the location, and your overall health, all of which we evaluate carefully.
You may be an ideal candidate if you:
- Notice your teeth looking longer than they used to
- Experience sensitivity to cold, heat, or brushing at the gum line
- See visible root surfaces above the gum line
- Have been told you have gum recession or thin gum tissue
- Have aesthetic concerns about uneven gum lines or visible roots
- Have a history of aggressive brushing, grinding, or orthodontic treatment
- Are planning veneers, crowns, or implants and want optimal gum tissue first
Patients with active gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, heavy tobacco use, certain autoimmune conditions, or medications affecting healing may need preparatory treatment or additional medical coordination before grafting.
The Process
- Consultation and Recession Evaluation. We begin with a comprehensive exam, a full medical history review, photographs, and a detailed measurement of each recession site. We also identify underlying causes, brushing habits, grinding, tissue thickness, and bite forces to ensure the result is lasting.
- Personalized Treatment Plan. Together, we map out your case, including which grafting technique fits your anatomy and goals, whether your own tissue or donor tissue is appropriate, and how the plan supports your broader wellness. We clearly review the timeline, comfort options, and expected coverage.
- The Procedure. Using precise surgical techniques and microsurgical instruments, we place the graft material along the receding area and secure it for optimal blood supply and integration. Most procedures are completed comfortably under local anesthesia, with sedation available.
- Healing and Tissue Integration. The graft becomes part of your gum tissue over 6 to 8 weeks, with continued maturation over several months. We monitor healing at follow-up visits to confirm coverage, color match, and stability.
- Long Term Protection. Once healed, we design a personalized maintenance plan that addresses the underlying causes of recession, including brushing technique, bite adjustments, and ongoing periodontal care, to prevent recurrence.
Recovery and What to Expect
Most patients return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours. Mild swelling and tenderness are common for the first few.
Most patients return to normal activities within 24 to 72 hours. Mild swelling, tenderness, and minor bruising are common for the first few days and respond well to ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Patients consistently tell us the procedure was easier than expected.
Aftercare basics:
- Stick to soft, cool foods for the first 1 to 2 weeks to protect the graft
- Do not brush, floss, or use a water pick on the treated area for 2 weeks, then resume with the tools we provide
- Avoid pulling the lip or cheek to look at the surgical site, which can disrupt healing
- Rinse with the prescribed antimicrobial rinse or warm salt water as we direct
- Skip strenuous exercise for 5 to 7 days
- Avoid spicy, acidic, very hot, or hard, crunchy foods during early healing
- Avoid smoking, which dramatically reduces graft success
- Keep all follow-up appointments so we can monitor integration
Call our office if you experience heavy bleeding that does not slow within an hour, severe pain not relieved by medication, fever over 101°F, drainage from the site, the graft feeling loose or shifting, or swelling that worsens after day three.
FAQ
Common causes include aggressive brushing, gum disease, grinding or clenching, genetically thin tissue, orthodontic tooth movement, certain bite patterns, and aging. We identify your specific causes during the consultation so treatment addresses both the recession and its source.
Common causes include aggressive brushing, gum disease, grinding or clenching, genetically thin tissue, orthodontic tooth movement, certain bite patterns, and aging. We identify your specific causes during the consultation so treatment addresses both the recession and its source.
No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients report far less discomfort than they expected. Modern donor tissue techniques have also significantly reduced postoperative discomfort compared to traditional methods. Sedation is available for patients who prefer extra comfort.
Not always. We offer several options, including donor tissue grafts and the Pinhole Surgical Technique, that eliminate the need to take tissue from your palate. We discuss every option openly and choose what fits your case, your healing, and your preferences.
Initial healing is essentially complete within 2 to 3 weeks. Full tissue maturation and final color matching continue over 3 to 6 months. Most patients return to normal life within a few days while the graft continues to settle.
Many dental insurance plans offer partial coverage for gum grafting, especially when it is medically necessary to protect tooth roots and bone. Coverage for purely cosmetic cases is less common. Our team verifies your benefits and explains your out-of-pocket costs clearly before treatment begins.
Yes. Modern grafting techniques deliver excellent color match and natural contours. Donor tissue and microsurgical techniques produce especially smooth, natural-looking results. We plan every case with aesthetics as a core priority.
Not if the underlying causes are addressed. We identify and correct the factors that caused the recession, brushing habits, grinding, bite issues, and gum disease, so the graft has the best chance of lasting a lifetime. Long-term maintenance protects your investment.
The Pinhole Surgical Technique is a minimally invasive method that gently repositions existing gum tissue through a small pinhole-sized opening, with no scalpels or sutures. It is ideal for select cases and offers faster healing and minimal discomfort. We discuss whether you are a candidate during your consultation.
In select cases, yes. When the gum tissue around a planned implant site is too thin, we can graft the area and place the implant at the same time. In other cases, we graft first and place the implant after healing. Your evaluation tells us which approach is right.
Yes. Recession is often linked to chronic inflammation, gum disease, and grinding, all of which connect to broader systemic health. Treating a recession reduces chronic infection sites and supports long-term oral and whole-body wellness.
Gum grafting is a periodontal specialty procedure that requires deep knowledge of soft tissue anatomy, microsurgical technique, and the underlying causes of recession. Dr. Moshrefi and Dr. Daneshmand perform these procedures regularly at MD Periodontics, with the training and tools to deliver lasting, natural-looking results.
Yes, and it often should. Establishing healthy, even gum tissue first ensures cosmetic restorations look balanced and last longer. We coordinate closely with your general or cosmetic dentist when grafting is part of a larger smile plan.
