Gum Graft Surgery

If your gums are receding, your dentist may recommend a gum tissue graft. 

A gum graft, also known as a gingival graft, can correct receding gums. Your dentist may refer you to a periodontist, a gum specialist, for this simple surgical procedure.

In a gum graft, your periodontist first removes a piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth or from nearby healthy gum tissue. They next attach it to the area where your gums have worn away. This procedure is relatively quick, and you can leave as soon as it’s done.

There are three types of gum grafts:

• Free gingival graft- Your periodontist removes a small piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth and suture (stitch) it to the area that needs gum tissue. You’ll likely get this type of graft if your gums are thin and need extra tissue to prevent further recession.
• Connective tissue graft- Your  periodontist opens a small flap in the roof of your mouth and removes a piece of connective tissue from under the top layer of tissue. They stitch this tissue to the area that needs gum tissue. This is the most common type of graft.
• Pedicle (lateral) graft- Your periodontist creates a flap of tissue from an area right next to your gum recession and uses the flap to cover the area of receding gum tissue. In this procedure, gum tissue is moved over the recession with local tissue rather than being taken from another part of your mouth. This type of graft is usually the most successful because it doesn’t cut off blood flow in any part of your mouth. For this to work, you need plenty of gum tissue in the areas around your gum recession.

A periodontist will discuss these options with you and make their recommendation based on your individual needs.