Recession and sensitivity
A root exposed by recession can be sensitive and more vulnerable to surface damage. The cause of the recession should be investigated before choosing a surgical approach.
General Dentistry / Treatment guide
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting adds tissue where gums have become thin or receded. Depending on the site, a graft may strengthen the gum around a tooth, cover some exposed root surface, or address both concerns.
Explore your options with our Atlas Dental team. Ask who would provide your treatment and whether a specialist referral is needed.
Let’s talk about your options See what care can involveA closer lookTreatment animation
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Adding tissue around a tooth
A gum graft places tissue beside an existing tooth where the gum has become thin or receded.
- 01Existing tooth
- 02Added gum tissue
- 03Root coverage
This is one grafting approach. The tissue source and how much exposed root can be covered depend on the site.
Understanding your care
Looking at the tissue around the tooth
Start with the purpose of treatment, then explore what matters for your own care.
Tissue thickness
Some grafts focus on reinforcing a thin or limited band of gum tissue. That goal is different from promising to cover every part of an exposed root.
A site-specific decision
Tooth position, the gum between teeth and the amount of supporting tissue influence the possible result. Observation or other management may be appropriate for some areas.
From questions to a plan
What care can involve.
The details and sequence depend on your assessment and individual treatment plan.
Assess the recession
Examine the tooth, gum thickness and supporting tissues. Discuss symptoms, changes over time and factors that may be contributing to the recession.
Choose an approach
Review the graft source, the intended benefit and the limits of root coverage. Discuss alternatives, comfort measures and whether specialist care is appropriate.
Place the graft
The clinician prepares the recipient area, positions the selected tissue and secures it. The exact technique depends on the tissue and treatment goal.
Review healing
Follow-up visits assess healing and the resulting gum contour. Your clinician provides an individual recovery plan and discusses how to protect the area long term.
Before you decide
A plan that makes
sense for you.
Root coverage is not always complete or predictable. Grafting can involve soreness, bleeding, swelling or infection, and a graft may not heal as intended. A second site may be involved when your own tissue is used. The decision weighs symptoms, tissue stability, alternatives and the condition of the tooth; grafting is not needed for every area of recession.
Does the graft replace the tooth?
No. The procedure works on the tissue around an existing tooth. It is different from an implant or a bone graft and does not replace a missing tooth.
Where does the tissue come from?
Depending on the technique, tissue may come from your palate or another donor source. The clinician explains the proposed material and whether a second surgical site is involved.
Will all of the root be covered?
Not necessarily. Root coverage depends on the local anatomy and the condition of the supporting tissues. Sometimes the main goal is a stronger band of gum rather than complete coverage.
A place to begin
Bring your questions.
We’ll start there.
Talk through your priorities, alternatives and who would provide your care. An assessment helps clarify the next step.
Let’s talk about your optionsOur team will contact you to confirm your visit.
About this guide & educational sources
The treatment images and animations in this guide illustrate examples of care. They are not Atlas Dental patient results, personal treatment recommendations or statements about an individual clinician’s scope. Your assessment and care plan determine which options are appropriate for you.