Gum Grafting & Cosmetic Gum Surgery
Treating recession, and refining the smile line
Gum recession exposes tooth roots that were meant to stay covered — gum grafting replaces that lost tissue, most often with a small graft taken from elsewhere in your own mouth.
The same techniques used to repair recession are also used cosmetically — reshaping an uneven gum line, covering excess tooth show, or evening out gum tissue after other periodontal treatment, so the result looks as healthy as it feels.
Signs recession is underway
Recession tends to progress slowly, which makes it easy to write off as just how your smile has always looked.
- Tooth roots that are visible or look longer than they used to
- Teeth that are sensitive to hot, cold, or brushing near the gumline
- A gum line that looks uneven from one tooth to the next
- Gums that feel thin, tender, or recede a little more each year
Two reasons patients choose grafting
The procedure is the same either way — what differs is what brought you in.
New tissue is placed where recession has occurred, protecting the exposed root and easing the sensitivity that often comes with it. Left untreated, recession can also contribute to loose teeth over time.
Gum tissue is reshaped or added to even out a smile line, cover excess tooth show, or finish the look of other periodontal treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Does gum grafting hurt?
The area is numbed during the procedure, and most patients describe the recovery as similar to any minor oral surgery — manageable with the aftercare we walk you through.
Where does the graft tissue come from?
Most often from a small amount of tissue taken from elsewhere in your own mouth, though donor tissue is also an option in some cases.
Will gum grafting stop my receding gums?
Grafting repairs the tissue already lost and protects the exposed root, but keeping the underlying cause — often gum disease or heavy brushing — under control is what keeps recession from returning.
Is gum grafting only cosmetic?
No — it’s often needed to treat sensitivity and protect exposed roots, though the same technique is also used cosmetically to even out a smile line.
Notice recession or an uneven smile?
Ask your dentist for a referral, and we’ll take a look at what’s the best fit for your gums.
