Gum Grafting in Beverly Hills, CA
Gum grafting in Beverly Hills at ConfiDental covers roots that have been exposed by receding gums, so your teeth are less sensitive, better protected from root decay and look the right length again. Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH, first finds out why your gums receded, then recommends the right gum graft surgery, from your own tissue or donor tissue, with a clear cost per tooth and what insurance is likely to cover.
What Is Gum Grafting?
A gum graft (also called a gingival graft or soft tissue graft) is a small surgery that places new tissue over an area of gum recession. The tissue can come from the roof of your mouth or from a donor tissue bank. Cleveland Clinic explains that the graft covers exposed roots, protects them from decay and sensitivity, and can improve how the smile looks.
Gum recession is common and usually slow. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research notes that gums affected by gum disease can pull away from the teeth, making them look longer. Many people only notice it when a tooth becomes sensitive or looks “too long.”
Why Do Gums Recede?
We look for the cause first, because a graft lasts best when the reason for recession is under control.
- Brushing too hard or with a hard-bristled brush
- Gum disease that has damaged the gum and bone attachment
- Thin gum tissue that you are born with
- Teeth that sit outside the bone, naturally or after braces or aligners
- Clenching and grinding, which can stress the gum line
- Lip or tongue piercings rubbing on the gum
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
Our guide to receding gums: causes and treatment explains each one in more detail.
Signs You May Need a Gum Graft
- Teeth that look longer than they used to
- Sharp sensitivity to cold at the gum line (see why a tooth is sensitive to cold)
- A visible yellow root surface or a notch at the gum line
- Gums that look thin, see-through or keep pulling back
- Recession around a crown or dental implant that shows a dark edge
- You are planning braces or Invisalign and your gums are very thin
Not every case of recession needs surgery. Small, stable areas with no sensitivity may only need monitoring, gentler brushing and a night guard if you grind.
Types of Gum Grafts
Graft type | Where the tissue comes from | Best for | Comfort |
Connective tissue graft | Under the surface of your palate | Covering exposed roots; the most common choice | Palate is sore for a few days |
Free gingival graft | Surface of your palate | Thickening very thin gums, around teeth or implants | Palate soreness is more noticeable |
Pedicle graft | Gum right next to the tooth, rotated over | When there is plenty of healthy gum nearby | No palate wound |
Donor tissue (such as AlloDerm) | Processed, screened donor tissue | Several teeth, or avoiding a palate wound | Usually less discomfort |
Pinhole technique | Gum repositioned through a small opening, no graft | Selected cases of recession | Minimal cutting [KEEP ONLY IF OFFERED] |
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), made from a small sample of your own blood, is sometimes added to support healing.
The American Academy of Periodontology describes gum grafting among its surgical procedures. Severe recession with lost gum between the teeth is harder to fix, and we refer complex cases to a periodontist when that gives you a better chance of success.
Your Gum Graft Procedure, Step by Step
Gum Graft Recovery Timeline
Time after surgery | What to expect |
Days 1 to 3 | Soreness and some swelling, mostly at the palate if tissue was taken there; cold packs help |
Days 4 to 7 | Discomfort eases; most people are back to normal routines |
Weeks 1 to 2 | Stitches dissolve or are removed; surface healing is mostly done |
Weeks 4 to 6 | Graft is firmly attached; normal brushing at the site resumes |
Around 3 months | Tissue has matured and the final result can be judged |
Cleveland Clinic notes that most people recover in about one to two weeks, longer if several areas were treated.
What to Eat and Avoid
- Day 1: soft, cool foods such as yogurt, smoothies (no straw) and pudding
- First week: soft foods such as eggs, pasta, fish, mashed potatoes and cooked vegetables
- Avoid: hard, crunchy, spicy or very hot foods, and chewing near the graft
- Do not brush or floss the graft until we say so; use the rinse we give you
- No smoking or vaping, which can cause the graft to fail
- Do not pull your lip out to look at the graft
Call us if you have bleeding that will not stop with pressure, fever, pus, or if part of the graft comes loose.
Does a Gum Graft Look Natural?
In most cases, yes. Once healed, the graft blends with the nearby gum in color and texture. Your own tissue often gives the closest match. Some areas may look slightly thicker at first and settle over a few months. How much of the root is covered depends on how much gum and bone remain between the teeth, which is why we discuss a realistic goal before surgery.
Risks and Results
Gum grafting has a high success rate; Cleveland Clinic cites success above 90%. Possible problems include:
- Bleeding or soreness, mostly at the palate
- Infection, which is uncommon
- Part or all of the graft not taking
- Some recession returning if the cause (hard brushing, gum disease, grinding) is not controlled
You give the graft the best chance by keeping up home care, regular cleanings and any night guard we recommend.
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 Graft vs. Gum Lift
These are opposites. A gum graft adds gum to cover roots when gums are too low. A gum lift (gum contouring) removes a little gum to show more tooth when a smile looks “gummy.” Gum contouring is often part of a smile makeover and can be done with a laser; see laser gum therapy.
Alternatives to Gum Surgery
Depending on your case, options may include:
- Watching small, stable recession with gentler brushing and a soft brush
- Treating gum disease to stop recession getting worse
- Desensitizing treatments for sensitive roots
- A tooth-colored filling to cover a notch at the gum line (does not replace gum)
- A night guard if grinding is part of the cause
These can relieve symptoms, but they do not rebuild lost gum. If the root is exposed and at risk, a graft is usually the option that restores coverage.
Gum Grafts Around Implants, Crowns and Braces
Thin gum around a dental implant or crown can recede and show a dark edge. A graft can thicken the tissue to protect the implant and improve the look. If you are planning Invisalign and your gums are thin, a graft before tooth movement may be advised. If bone is missing as well, see bone grafting.
Your Beverly Hills Gum Grafting Provider
Dr. Liyan Massaband | Confidental Beverly hills
Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California, and is licensed by the Dental Board of California. She has practiced in Beverly Hills for more than 15 years. She treats the cause of recession as carefully as the recession itself, explains a realistic result before surgery, and refers complex cases to a periodontist when that is the better choice.
Read Dr. Massaband’s full profile.
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Book a Gum Recession Consultation
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
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 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.