Gum Grafting
When gums start to recede, the roots don’t stay hidden.
Sometimes it’s just one spot near the front. Other times it’s a whole section that looks longer than it used to. The root shows up, brushing feels sharp, and you notice cold foods hit harder than they should.
Gum grafting isn’t about vanity. It’s about structure—restoring a barrier that once kept those areas safe. If a tooth’s root is left exposed too long, it can wear down fast. This treatment helps step in before that happens.
Recession can’t always be reversed—but it can be managed.
Gum tissue doesn’t grow back once it’s gone. That means when it recedes—whether from disease, trauma, or even just time—you need another solution.
Grafting uses soft tissue from another part of the mouth, or sometimes a donor source, to rebuild coverage. It protects the tooth. It softens sensitivity. And in many cases, it makes the whole area easier to clean and maintain going forward.
Dentists might recommend this when:
• Root surfaces are showing and sensitive
• Brushing is uncomfortable or causing bleeding
• Gums have pulled back unevenly from one or more teeth
• Past inflammation or grinding has caused long-term tissue loss
It sounds more intense than it is—but it still takes precision.
Before anything starts, your provider will talk through where the tissue is needed, where it might come from, and how long the site needs to heal.
Most procedures follow a simple plan:
• The area is numbed so you don’t feel discomfort
• A small section of soft tissue is placed where the gums have thinned
• The graft is secured with stitches—often dissolvable ones
• Gauze or dressings may help protect the area in the first few hours
• Follow-up is usually within 7–10 days to check the healing
Some people take the weekend to rest. Others feel fine within a day. It depends on how your body heals—and where the graft came from.
Your Gum Grafting questions, answered.
You don’t need to live with exposed roots or stinging when you brush.
Grafting gives your gums another chance to do what they were built for—cover, protect, and support. If it’s the right time, your dentist will guide you through it from start to finish.