Gum Grafting

What Is Gum Grafting?

A gum graft replaces gum tissue that has receded away from a tooth. Healthy tissue — taken from the roof of your mouth or from a donor source — is secured over the exposed root, where it heals in and becomes part of your own gumline.

Why Recession Needs Treating

Gum recession is not only a cosmetic problem. An exposed root has no enamel over it, so it is far more sensitive to cold and far more prone to decay, and recession that keeps progressing eventually costs the tooth its support. Grafting stops that progression and protects the root.

What Recovery Looks Like

The graft site is usually the more comfortable area; the palate, where tissue was taken, is typically the tender one for the first week, and a protective dressing is often placed over it. Soft foods and no brushing directly on the graft for the period your dentist specifies are the main requirements. Donor-tissue grafts avoid a palatal site entirely and are an option worth discussing.