Cover exposed roots, calm sensitivity, and stop gum recession from progressing, with a gum graft performed by board-certified periodontists on Wilshire Blvd.
A gum graft is a periodontal surgical procedure that adds healthy tissue to areas where the gumline has receded and tooth roots have become exposed. Gum recession happens gradually, often without pain in its early stages, but over time it can leave roots vulnerable to sensitivity, decay, and further bone loss around the tooth.
During a gum graft, your periodontist uses tissue, most often taken from the roof of the mouth or, in some cases, from a certified tissue bank, and secures it over the area of recession. The graft integrates with the surrounding gum, restoring a fuller, healthier band of tissue that shields the root surface going forward.
There are a few different techniques periodontists use to accomplish this, including the connective-tissue graft, the free gingival graft, and minimally invasive approaches such as the pinhole technique. Dr. Rana Shahi, Dr. Priscilla Young, and Dr. Ivan Yi evaluate each patient's gum thickness, the extent of recession, and cosmetic goals before recommending the approach that fits best. If you are specifically curious about our minimally invasive option, read more about our pinhole gum graft technique, which is often appropriate for patients with mild to moderate recession who want less post-operative discomfort.
Gum grafting is frequently recommended alongside treatment for active periodontal disease, since gum disease is one of the most common causes of recession. In cases where a tooth's crown also needs more visible structure exposed for a restoration, your periodontist may discuss crown lengthening as a related but separate procedure.
Every gum graft is planned around your specific pattern of recession. In general, the procedure follows four stages, from evaluation through the start of healing.
Your periodontist measures the extent of recession at each tooth, assesses gum thickness, and discusses which grafting technique and donor source best fits your case.
The treatment area is numbed with local anesthesia, and sedation options are available for patients who feel anxious about dental procedures. The recipient site is then prepared.
Donor tissue is positioned over the exposed root surface and secured with fine sutures, allowing it to integrate with the surrounding gum over the following weeks.
Before you leave, you will receive clear aftercare guidance covering diet, oral hygiene, and activity restrictions to support smooth, uneventful healing.
Gum grafting is a periodontal specialty procedure. Our team has treated recession cases ranging from a single tooth to full-arch involvement.
Dr. Rana Shahi, Dr. Priscilla Young, and Dr. Ivan Yi are board-certified periodontists whose training focuses specifically on the gum and bone tissues that support your teeth, not general dentistry with grafting added on.
Because our doctors are experienced across connective-tissue grafting, free gingival grafting, and the minimally invasive pinhole approach, your treatment plan is built around your gum anatomy, not a single default technique.
Our office at 11859 Wilshire Blvd is designed for patient comfort, with sedation options available and a team that walks you through every step before, during, and after your graft.
Mild recession on one or two teeth may be well suited to a minimally invasive approach, while more extensive or multi-tooth recession is often better addressed with traditional connective-tissue grafting. During your consultation, your periodontist will measure your recession, evaluate the thickness of your existing gum tissue, and recommend the technique most likely to give you a stable, long-lasting result.
If gum disease is present, it will typically need to be brought under control before grafting so the new tissue has a healthy environment to heal in. Learn more about how we approach periodontal disease treatment if that applies to you.
Most patients describe recovery as manageable, with the bulk of tenderness resolving in the first week.
Mild swelling and some tenderness, often compared to the feeling of a burn on the roof of the mouth, are common. Soft foods, cold compresses, and any prescribed medication help keep you comfortable.
Discomfort steadily improves. You will follow a soft-food diet and gentle brushing instructions near the graft site while the tissue attaches and begins to heal.
Full maturation of the grafted tissue continues over several weeks to months. Regular hygiene visits help protect your results and catch any new areas of recession early.
Schedule a consultation to discuss whether a gum graft, or our minimally invasive pinhole technique, is the right fit for your gum recession.
Answers to the questions we hear most often about gum grafting at our Los Angeles practice.
Gum recession is most often linked to periodontal disease, aggressive brushing with a hard-bristled brush, thin or genetically fragile gum tissue, misaligned teeth that put uneven pressure on the gumline, orthodontic treatment, and oral piercings. Often more than one factor is involved.
The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during grafting. Afterward, most patients report mild to moderate soreness for several days, often described as similar to a burn on the roof of the mouth if that area was used as a donor site.
Most gum graft procedures take approximately 45 to 90 minutes, depending on how many teeth are being treated and which technique is used.
A connective-tissue graft uses deeper tissue harvested beneath the surface of the palate and is currently the most widely used technique. A free gingival graft uses tissue from the surface of the palate and is often used for thin gums without much root exposure. We also offer a minimally invasive, pinhole-based approach for many patients with mild to moderate recession.
Recovery time is typically one to two weeks for the surgical site to feel comfortable again, though full tissue maturation continues for longer. Your periodontist will give you a timeline specific to your procedure.
Coverage varies by plan and by whether the graft is considered medically necessary, such as for active recession with sensitivity or bone loss, versus primarily cosmetic. Our team will help verify your benefits before your procedure.
Yes. Many patients with mild to moderate recession are candidates for our minimally invasive pinhole technique, which does not require the incisions or sutures used in traditional grafting. Visit our soft tissue gum graft page to learn whether you may be a candidate.
Untreated recession tends to progress gradually. Exposed roots are more vulnerable to decay and sensitivity, and continued loss of gum and bone support can eventually affect the stability of the tooth. Early evaluation gives you the most treatment options.
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