Gum Disease Treatment in Beverly Hills, CA
Gum recession is one of the most underappreciated dental concerns. Because it progresses slowly, many people do not notice it until the consequences, including sensitivity, exposed root surfaces, increased cavity risk, and the visual change of teeth that look longer than they used to, have already become significant. A gum graft stops recession in its tracks, covers the exposed root surfaces, and restores the protective tissue barrier that healthy gums provide.
At Confidental Beverly Hills, Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD MPH performs gum grafting using minimally invasive technique that prioritizes both clinical effectiveness and natural-looking aesthetic results. Whether you have recession on one tooth or across multiple teeth, our Beverly Hills gum grafting practice addresses each case with individualized planning and the precision that produces consistent, lasting outcomes.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum grafting, also called gingival grafting or soft tissue grafting, is a surgical procedure that adds new tissue to areas where the gum line has receded and the tooth root is exposed. The graft can be taken from the patient’s own palate (autograft), from donor tissue processed to remove any biological risk factors (allograft), or from a combination of both depending on the volume of tissue needed and the patient’s preference.
The grafted tissue is carefully positioned to cover the exposed root surface and sutured into place. Over the following weeks, the graft integrates with the existing gum tissue through a process of revascularization and cellular fusion, creating a stable, functional gum margin that protects the root and matches the surrounding natural tissue in color and texture.
Gum recession cannot reverse itself. Once the gum tissue pulls back and the root is exposed, the only clinical way to restore tissue coverage is through a graft. Identifying and treating recession early produces better coverage outcomes and simpler procedures than treating advanced recession that has been progressing for years.
Benefits of Gum Grafting
Clear aligners are capable of correcting a broader range of orthodontic concerns than many patients expect. At Confidental Beverly Hills, we evaluate each patient individually to determine whether Invisalign can achieve their alignment goals or whether a different approach would produce better long-term results. Here are the most common issues we treat with Invisalign.
Types of Gum Grafts Performed at Confidental Beverly Hills
Several gum grafting techniques are available, each with specific advantages for different clinical situations. The type of graft recommended at your consultation depends on how much recession is present, the thickness of the existing gum tissue, the width of attached gingiva, and whether the adjacent gum tissue provides a viable source of pedicle tissue.
Connective Tissue Graft (Subepithelial)
The connective tissue graft, also called a subepithelial connective tissue graft, is the most widely used and most consistently predictable gum grafting technique. A small incision is made in the roof of the mouth and a thin layer of connective tissue is harvested from beneath the surface tissue, leaving the outer palate intact and significantly reducing discomfort compared to older harvesting methods. The harvested connective tissue is positioned beneath a flap of existing gum tissue at the recipient site. This technique produces predictable root coverage and the most natural color match of any graft type.
Free Gingival Graft
A free gingival graft harvests tissue from the surface of the palate rather than from beneath it. The harvested tissue includes both the outer epithelium and the underlying connective tissue, producing a slightly thicker, firmer graft that is particularly useful when the primary goal is to widen the band of attached gum tissue around a tooth rather than to achieve root coverage. Free gingival grafts are commonly used around teeth or implants with very thin or absent attached gingiva, where building tissue volume is the priority over aesthetics.
AlloDerm Acellular Dermal Matrix Graft
AlloDerm is a processed donor tissue material derived from human dermal tissue that has been treated to remove all living cells, leaving only the structural protein matrix. It is used as an alternative to harvesting tissue from the patient’s own palate, which eliminates the second surgical site and reduces post-operative discomfort significantly. AlloDerm produces reliable root coverage and tissue augmentation with outcomes comparable to autogenous grafts in many cases. It is a preferred option for patients who are anxious about palate discomfort or who require tissue coverage across multiple teeth where palate harvest volume would be limited.
Pedicle Graft
A pedicle graft, also called a lateral pedicle or rotational flap, uses tissue harvested from adjacent gum tissue that remains connected to its blood supply at one edge rather than being fully separated from the mouth. Because the blood supply is maintained, pedicle grafts integrate quickly and have excellent survival rates. However, they are only applicable when there is sufficient adjacent gum tissue available to rotate or slide over the area of recession without creating a new recession problem at the donor site. They are most useful for isolated single-tooth recession cases.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Gum Grafting?
Gum grafting is appropriate for patients with clinically significant gum recession, meaning recession that is causing or likely to cause problems if left untreated. Here is how candidates are generally identified.
Good candidates include patients with exposed tooth roots causing significant temperature sensitivity. Those with recession measured at 2 millimeters or more below the cementoenamel junction of a tooth. Patients with insufficient attached gingiva around a tooth or implant, even without visible recession. Those planning orthodontic treatment where movement of teeth through thin gum tissue increases recession risk. Patients with cosmetic concerns about the appearance of recession affecting their smile. Patients preparing for implant placement or restoration where adequate tissue volume is needed.
Gum grafting is most successful when performed before recession has progressed to an advanced stage. Very advanced recession with significant papilla (gum between teeth) loss is more difficult to treat with predictable outcomes. Active gum disease must also be treated and stabilized before grafting is performed, as the bacterial infection that causes gum disease will compromise graft healing if it is still active. Our gum disease treatment and deep cleaning services address this prerequisite as part of a coordinated treatment plan.
Alternatives to Gum Surgery in Beverly Hills
Not every patient with gum recession requires surgery. For patients in the early stages of recession or those with primarily aesthetic concerns about a mildly uneven gum line, less invasive approaches may be appropriate.
Changing brushing technique is the first non-surgical intervention when overbrushing is identified as the cause of recession. Switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush and reducing pressure often stops active recession progression caused by mechanical trauma. This is not a treatment for existing recession, but it prevents further loss.
Desensitizing treatments including professionally applied fluoride varnishes and dentinal tubule-blocking agents reduce sensitivity from exposed roots without covering them. These address the symptom rather than the cause and require periodic reapplication.
Composite bonding can cover small areas of exposed root to reduce sensitivity and improve appearance, but bonded composite is not as durable or as natural-looking as a gum graft, and it does not add tissue volume to resist future recession.
LANAP laser therapy and periodontal treatment can prevent further recession caused by gum disease and in some cases allow slight tissue reattachment, but laser treatment does not produce significant root coverage in established recession cases the way a surgical graft does.
For patients who want to avoid surgery, Dr. Massaband presents all appropriate non-surgical alternatives at your consultation with honest guidance about which option is likely to produce meaningful benefit for your specific case.
What to Expect During Gum Grafting at Confidental Beverly Hills
Comprehensive Gum Health Evaluation
Your first appointment measures recession levels at each affected tooth, documents gum thickness and the width of attached gingiva, assesses the cause of recession, and reviews your overall gum health and periodontal stability. Digital photographs document the existing recession. If active gum disease is present, this is addressed first with scaling and root planing or laser gum therapy before grafting is scheduled.
Graft Type and Treatment Planning
Dr. Massaband recommends the most appropriate graft technique for your specific recession pattern, tissue anatomy, and aesthetic goals. The planned outcome, including expected root coverage percentage, is discussed honestly at this stage. A full cost estimate including insurance coverage assessment is provided before any procedure is scheduled.
The Gum Grafting Procedure
Local anesthesia is applied to both the donor site (palate, if an autograft is chosen) and the recipient site where the graft will be placed. The harvest is performed first, using minimally invasive technique that leaves the outer palate surface intact in most connective tissue graft cases. The recipient site is carefully prepared to receive the graft and a flap of existing tissue is created. The graft is positioned to maximize root coverage and sutured securely. Fine sutures used are often dissolvable and require no removal appointment. A single graft site procedure takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
Immediate Post-Procedure Care
After the procedure, a protective putty dressing may be placed over the graft site. You receive detailed written aftercare instructions covering diet restrictions, pain management, oral hygiene adaptations, and activity limitations for the first week. Pain medication and antibiotics are prescribed as appropriate. Ice packs applied to the outside of the face for the first 24 hours reduce swelling significantly. Most patients are surprised by how manageable the first few days feel compared to their expectations.
Healing and Follow-Up Monitoring
Follow-up appointments at one week and four to six weeks after the procedure evaluate graft health, suture dissolution, and healing progress. The grafted tissue begins its vascular connection within the first 24 to 48 hours and continues to mature and integrate over the following weeks. Final root coverage assessment is performed at three months when tissue maturation is complete and the final outcome can be accurately measured and documented.
Gum Graft Healing Stages: What to Expect Week by Week
Does Gum Grafting Look Natural?
This is one of the most common questions patients ask before committing to gum grafting, and the honest answer is: yes, when the procedure is done well and the right technique is chosen for the clinical situation.
A connective tissue graft placed beneath the existing gum tissue blends most seamlessly with the surrounding natural gum because the outer epithelium that provides the color and texture comes from the patient’s own gum tissue at the recipient site. The graft provides the volume and attachment beneath the surface, while the existing gum tissue covers it. The result is tissue that looks genuinely natural rather than like a patch.
The most important factor in natural appearance is accurate shade matching of the graft material to the adjacent gum tissue and careful surgical planning of the position and contour of the final gum margin. At Confidental Beverly Hills, the aesthetic result is planned before surgery begins, not simply evaluated after. Patients are shown what the expected gum line will look like after healing so there are no surprises when the tissue matures.
Gum Graft Cost in Beverly Hills
Gum grafting cost depends on the number of teeth being treated, the type of graft used, whether palate tissue is harvested (which adds donor site management) or donor material (AlloDerm) is used instead, and the complexity of the individual case. Here are typical cost ranges for gum grafting at Confidental Beverly Hills.
| Gum Grafting Service | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Connective Tissue Graft (single tooth) | $700 to $1,200 | Most common technique. Palate harvest included |
| Free Gingival Graft (single tooth) | $600 to $1,000 | Width building. Palate surface harvest |
| AlloDerm Acellular Graft (single tooth) | $900 to $1,400 | No palate harvest. Higher material cost. Less discomfort |
| Multiple Teeth in Same Session | $500 to $900 per additional tooth | Treating adjacent teeth simultaneously reduces per-tooth cost |
| Full Arch Soft Tissue Augmentation | From $3,000 per arch | Comprehensive recession or tissue volume correction |
Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of gum grafting when the procedure is deemed medically necessary, such as for recession causing sensitivity, root decay risk, or inadequate attached gingiva. Coverage is typically 50 to 80 percent of the procedure cost up to the annual maximum. Purely cosmetic gum surgery to improve appearance without functional indication is generally not covered. Our team reviews your specific benefits before scheduling and provides a transparent cost estimate. Flexible payment plans are available.
Gum Lift and Cosmetic Gum Surgery in Beverly Hills
Gum grafting addresses gum recession where tissue has been lost and the gum line has moved up. The cosmetically related but opposite procedure is a gum lift, also called crown lengthening or gum contouring, which removes excess gum tissue where the gum line is too high or uneven, making teeth look shorter or creating a gummy smile appearance.
Both procedures address the gum line, but in opposite directions. Grafting adds tissue. Contouring removes it. Both are available at Confidental Beverly Hills and are frequently coordinated with cosmetic dental work including porcelain veneers and smile makeovers where the gum line is an important component of the overall aesthetic result. Gum lift cost in Beverly Hills at Confidental ranges from $300 to $600 per arch for cosmetic laser contouring, and $1,000 to $2,500 for more significant crown lengthening.
Your Beverly Hills Gum Grafting Provider
Dr. Liyan Massaband | Confidental Beverly hills
Dr. Massaband performs gum grafting with a focus on both clinical precision and the aesthetic outcome the patient will see. Her approach to tissue harvesting and placement minimizes discomfort at the donor site while maximizing the predictability and natural appearance of the graft at the recipient site.
Patients who come to her after having been advised by another provider that their recession is too advanced for grafting often find at their consultation that a carefully planned graft is still a viable option. And patients who are anxious about the procedure consistently describe their experience, particularly the palate discomfort they anticipated far exceeded the actual post-operative experience, as far more manageable than expected.
Patient Stories
Real experiences shared by patients reflect comfort, trust, and positive outcomes built over time through consistent care and open conversations with our dental team.
Why people love Confidental Beverly hills
Patients often mention how clearly things are explained, how gently visits are handled, and how supported they feel before and after appointments. Many reviews highlight feeling heard, not rushed, and genuinely cared for.
Gum Grafting Near You in Beverly Hills
Gum Grafting FAQs
How much does a gum graft cost in Beverly Hills?
A connective tissue gum graft at Confidental Beverly Hills costs approximately $700 to $1,200 per tooth. AlloDerm grafts without palate harvest cost $900 to $1,400. Treating multiple adjacent teeth in the same session reduces the per-tooth cost. Full arch soft tissue augmentation starts from approximately $3,000 per arch. Many dental insurance plans cover gum grafting when it is medically necessary, typically at 50 to 80 percent of the procedure cost. A personalized cost estimate is provided at your consultation.
What is a gum graft and how does it work?
A gum graft is a surgical procedure that adds new tissue to areas of the gum line where recession has exposed the tooth root. Tissue is harvested from the roof of the patient’s mouth or obtained from processed donor material, then positioned and sutured at the area of recession. Over four to twelve weeks, the graft integrates with the surrounding gum tissue through revascularization and cellular fusion, creating a stable protective covering over the previously exposed root.
Does gum grafting look natural?
Yes, when performed correctly using the right technique for the clinical situation. Connective tissue grafts placed beneath the existing gum flap blend most naturally because the outer tissue color and texture come from the patient’s own gum tissue at the recipient site. The result looks like the patient’s own natural gum. The final appearance stabilizes at three months when full tissue maturation is complete.
How long does gum grafting last?
A well-executed gum graft provides permanent root coverage that lasts indefinitely when the cause of recession is also addressed. The grafted tissue integrates with the surrounding gum and becomes a permanent part of the gum architecture. If overbrushing caused the recession, switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush prevents recurrence. If periodontal disease caused the recession, consistent periodontal maintenance protects the graft long-term.
How painful is gum grafting?
Gum grafting is performed under local anesthesia and is not painful during the procedure. The first two to three days after surgery involve some soreness, particularly at the palate donor site if autogenous tissue is harvested. Most patients manage comfortably with prescribed pain medication and over-the-counter ibuprofen. Patients who choose AlloDerm donor material instead of palate harvest typically experience significantly less post-operative discomfort because the second surgical site is eliminated.
Does dental insurance cover gum grafting?
Many dental insurance plans cover gum grafting when it is deemed medically necessary, such as for recession causing clinical sensitivity, inadequate attached gingiva, or root surface at significant risk of decay. Coverage typically ranges from 50 to 80 percent of the procedure cost up to the annual maximum. Cosmetic gum surgery performed solely for aesthetic improvement is generally not covered. Our team reviews your specific plan benefits before scheduling and confirms coverage expectations before any treatment begins.
Are there alternatives to gum surgery for receding gums?
For early-stage recession or cases where the primary issue is technique-related overbrushing, alternatives including brushing modification, desensitizing treatments, and composite bonding can reduce symptoms. However, none of these alternatives restore lost tissue or prevent further recession the way a gum graft does. For patients with clinically significant recession, the graft is the only treatment that provides lasting root coverage and tissue stability. Dr. Massaband discusses all appropriate options honestly at your consultation.