Gum Disease Treatment in Beverly Hills, CA

Gum disease treatment in Beverly Hills at ConfiDental starts with measuring your gums, tooth by tooth, so you know whether you have early gingivitis that a cleaning can reverse or periodontitis that needs deeper care. Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH, explains what the numbers mean, treats the infection below the gum line with deep cleaning and laser-assisted therapy when it helps, and builds a maintenance plan to keep your gums and the bone around your teeth healthy.

Gum disease is very common. The CDC reports that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults aged 30 or older have some level of periodontitis, and about 60 percent of adults over 65. Most of them do not know it, because early gum disease rarely hurts.

Signs of Gum Disease

Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
Red, puffy or tender gums
Bad breath or a bad taste that keeps coming back
Gums pulling back, so teeth look longer
Sensitivity at the gum line
Pus between the teeth and gums
Teeth that feel loose, shift or no longer fit together the same way
New gaps appearing between teeth

Bleeding gums are not normal, even if it only happens when you floss. It is usually the first sign of gingivitis.

Benefits of Gum Grafting

Alt text: Diagram of the stages of gum disease from healthy gums to gingivitis and advanced periodontitis with bone loss

Stage	What is happening	Typical pocket depth	Can it be reversed?	Usual treatment
Healthy gums	Gums fit snugly, no bleeding	1 to 3 mm		Regular cleanings
Gingivitis	Gums inflamed by plaque, no bone loss	Up to about 4 mm	Yes	Professional cleaning and better home care
Mild periodontitis	Infection has started to damage bone	About 4 to 5 mm	No, but it can be stopped	Scaling and root planing
Moderate periodontitis	More bone loss, some recession	About 5 to 7 mm	No, but it can be controlled	Deep cleaning, often with laser gum therapy
Advanced periodontitis	Significant bone loss, loose teeth	7 mm or more	No, but teeth can often be saved	Laser-assisted therapy or gum surgery, sometimes with a periodontist

The American Academy of Periodontology describes gingivitis as the mild, reversible stage and periodontitis as the stage that destroys the tissue and bone that hold teeth in place.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease is caused by bacteria in plaque that builds up along and under the gum line. Plaque that is not removed hardens into tartar, which only a professional cleaning can remove. Some people are much more likely to get it:

Smoking or vaping. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research names tobacco use as the most significant risk factor.
Diabetes, especially when blood sugar is not well controlled
Family history of gum disease
Hormonal changes, including pregnancy
Stress and poor sleep
Medications that cause dry mouth
Crowded teeth that are hard to clean. Straightening with Invisalign can make cleaning easier.
Grinding, which adds stress to teeth already losing support. A night guard helps.

How We Treat Gum Disease

1. Gum evaluation and charting

We measure the pocket around every tooth, check for bleeding, recession and loose teeth, and take X-rays to see the bone. This is part of a comprehensive dental exam, and it gives you a baseline we compare against at every future visit.

2. Professional cleaning for gingivitis

If there is no bone loss, a thorough cleaning above and just below the gum line, plus a few changes to your home routine, can reverse gingivitis within a few weeks.

3. Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)

For periodontitis, we numb the area and clean tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces below the gum line, then smooth the roots so the gums can reattach. It is usually done one or two quadrants at a time. Learn more about deep dental cleanings.

4. Laser-assisted gum therapy

In some pockets, a dental laser is used alongside deep cleaning to reduce bacteria and inflamed tissue. Many patients find it comfortable, with little downtime. See our laser gum therapy page for how it works and when it helps.

5. Re-evaluation

About 6 to 8 weeks after deep cleaning, we measure your gums again to see how much the pockets have tightened and whether any areas need more treatment.

6. Periodontal maintenance

Periodontitis can be controlled but not cured, so ongoing cleanings every 3 to 4 months are the most important part of keeping your results. Our article on whether dental cleanings can prevent gum disease explains why the schedule matters.

When we refer to a periodontist

For advanced bone loss, complex surgery or cases that do not respond to non-surgical care, we refer to a periodontist and coordinate your care.

Alternatives to Gum Surgery

Many people worry that gum disease means surgery. Most do not need it. Before considering surgery, we look at:

Deep cleaning of the roots, which treats most mild to moderate cases
Laser-assisted therapy in pockets that need extra help
Antimicrobial rinses or medicine placed in deep pockets, as an add-on
Better home care with the right brush, interdental brushes or a water flosser
Closer maintenance visits to keep bacteria under control

Surgery is usually considered only when deep pockets remain after non-surgical treatment, or when bone or gum needs to be rebuilt.

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.

When Gum Recession Needs a Gum Graft

Gum disease and overbrushing can both cause gums to pull back. Treatment can stop recession from getting worse, but lost gum does not grow back on its own. If roots are exposed, sensitive or at risk of decay, a gum graft can cover them. Read about the causes on receding gums: causes and treatment, and learn about graft types, healing and cost on our gum grafting page. Gum disease always needs to be under control before a graft.

Gum Disease Treatment Cost in Beverly Hills

Treatment	Typical cost
Gum evaluation and X-rays	e.g. $100 to $300
Gingivitis cleaning	$100 to $300
Scaling and root planing	per quadrant
Laser-assisted periodontal therapy	$300 to $600 per quadrant
Periodontal maintenance cleaning	Per visit
Gum graft (connective tissue, one tooth)	$700 to $1,200, see gum grafting

Typical ranges, not a quote. You receive a written estimate after your evaluation.

Insurance: most dental plans cover a large share of gum disease treatment, including scaling and root planing and maintenance cleanings, up to your annual maximum. We check your benefits first. See understanding dental insurance and our payment options.

What Recovery Feels Like

Gums may be tender for a day or two after deep cleaning
Mild sensitivity to cold is common for a week or two as the gums tighten
Bleeding usually reduces noticeably within the first couple of weeks
Gums may look slightly lower once swelling goes down; this is the inflammation leaving, not new damage

Gum Disease and Your Overall Health

Gum disease is more than a mouth problem. The NIDCR lists conditions associated with gum disease, including diabetes, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Gum disease can also make diabetes harder to control. If you have any of these, keeping your gums healthy is part of looking after your overall health.

Gum disease is also the leading reason dental implants fail later. If you have implants, see dental implant failure signs and causes.

How to Prevent Gum Disease

Brush twice a day with a soft brush, angled toward the gum line
Clean between your teeth every day
Do not smoke or vape
Keep diabetes and other health conditions well managed
Keep regular cleanings, or every 3 to 4 months if you have had periodontitis
Tell us if your gums bleed, even a little

Our guide to removing plaque at home has more daily tips.

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.

Read Dr. Massaband’s full profile and credentials

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

Confidental Beverly Hills, 9615 Brighton Way, Suite 222, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM | Friday 9 AM to 4 PM.

Book online or call (310) 858-9212.

Gum Grafting FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.