Mid-Wilshire Dental Care
Call

Gum Care & Periodontics

Expert Gum Grafting & Recession Treatment at Mid-Wilshire Dental Care

Fix receding gums and cover exposed roots with soft-tissue grafting from a Los Angeles periodontist. Connective-tissue and pinhole techniques.

Request an AppointmentCall (310) 731-6119
Dental professional in a mask and gloves holding an instrument

Gum Grafting for Receding Gums in Los Angeles

Medically reviewed by Dr. Bijan Afar, DDS, MS — Periodontist & Oral Implantologist

Receding gums expose the root surface of your teeth. That surface is softer than enamel, more sensitive to hot and cold, and much more vulnerable to decay. Left alone, recession keeps progressing until the tooth is at risk. Gum grafting stops the recession, restores the tissue, and covers the exposed root.

Recession has a few common causes: aggressive brushing over years, orthodontic movement that pushed teeth outside the bone envelope, thin biotype tissue you were born with, and untreated gum disease. Some of these are worth correcting before the graft; others are just what happens with time. During your consult we'll figure out which factors are at play and plan accordingly.

The modern gold standard is the connective-tissue graft — a small piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth or from a donor source, placed under the recessed gum to add thickness and height. Newer techniques like the pinhole surgical technique can address multiple teeth at once with less discomfort in the right cases. Dr. Afar does both and will recommend the approach that fits your anatomy, not the one that fits a marketing brochure.

Recovery is usually 7–10 days of a soft diet and gentle rinsing. Sutures come out at two weeks. Most patients return to normal chewing within three weeks and see the full aesthetic result at 3–6 months once the tissue has fully matured.

What's Included

  • Connective-tissue grafting (the gold-standard technique)
  • Pinhole surgical technique for multiple teeth in one visit
  • Free gingival grafts to thicken thin tissue
  • Sedation available for anxious patients
  • Same office handles pre-op, procedure, and follow-up

Related Care You May Be Looking For

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need a gum graft?
The two clearest signs are visible root surface (your teeth look 'longer' than they used to) and cold sensitivity localized to one or two teeth. But not all recession requires grafting — sometimes it's stable and just needs monitoring. During a consult we measure the amount of attached gum tissue you have and predict whether the recession will progress.
Is gum grafting painful?
The procedure is done under local anesthetic and optional sedation, so no pain during. The first 24–48 hours after are the most uncomfortable — most patients describe it as a bad canker sore on the roof of the mouth. Ibuprofen usually handles it. By day 3–4 most people are back at work.
How much does gum grafting cost?
It depends on how many teeth need coverage and the grafting technique that suits your gums. We go over the plan, its cost, and any insurance benefits at your consultation.
Will the grafted tissue look natural?
In a well-executed graft, most patients can't tell which teeth were treated at the 6-month follow-up. Colour and texture match the surrounding gum tissue. Where recession was severe, some slight difference in colour may remain — we'll show you before-and-after photos of similar cases at the consult so you know what to expect.
How long do gum grafts last?
Most grafts last for life when the underlying cause is addressed. If aggressive brushing caused the recession and the habit continues, you can un-do the graft. We'll teach you brushing technique that protects the tissue.

Articles & Insights

Read more about Gum Grafting

Dive deeper into specific aspects of gum grafting written by our team.

Browse all articles

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule a consultation for gum grafting and we will walk you through the options, the timing, and the next step for your case.

Request an AppointmentCall (310) 731-6119

Related Services