Surgical treatment to cover exposed roots and restore lost gum tissue at Highfield Dental Clinic, Edgbaston.
Gum grafting is delicate surgery that needs careful planning and gentle technique. Our team assesses whether it is genuinely needed before recommending it.
Gum grafting is a surgical procedure that adds tissue where the gum has receded, exposing the root of a tooth. Tissue is usually taken from the roof of your mouth, or a donor material may be used, and is secured over the exposed root.
Grafting can reduce sensitivity, protect the root from decay and wear, improve the appearance of a tooth that looks long, and provide sturdier gum tissue around teeth where it has become thin.
Concerned about receding gums or exposed roots in Birmingham? Our experienced team will assess the cause and explain your options.
Grafting is carried out under local anaesthetic, usually in a single appointment per area. It typically involves:
Your clinician will explain how many teeth can be treated at once and what recovery looks like before you commit.
Expect some soreness and swelling for several days, particularly at the donor site if tissue is taken from your palate. Eat soft, cool foods, avoid brushing the surgical area until advised, and use any rinse provided. Avoid smoking, which significantly impairs healing.
Grafting treats the result, not the cause. Recession can be driven by brushing too hard, gum disease, a misaligned bite, thin gum tissue or orthodontic movement, and unless the cause is addressed, recession can continue. We will identify what is driving it in your case and may recommend changes to technique, a splint or orthodontic assessment alongside surgery.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should feel no pain during it. Soreness afterwards, particularly at the donor site, is normal for several days.
Not always. Mild recession that is stable and not causing symptoms may simply need monitoring and improved technique. We will only recommend surgery where there is a clear benefit.
Grafted tissue usually blends well, though colour and texture can differ slightly. Your clinician will discuss the likely aesthetic result beforehand.
The surface usually feels much better within a couple of weeks, though full maturation of the tissue takes several months. Follow-up appointments monitor progress.
It can if the underlying cause is not addressed. Correcting brushing technique, stabilising gum disease and managing any bite issues all help protect the result.
Smoking substantially reduces the chances of success and impairs healing. Your clinician will discuss this honestly with you, and we can point you towards stop-smoking support.
