Gum Grafting Specialist

Willow Glen Dental Specialists

Periodontists & Endodontists located in San Jose, CA

A receding gum line that exposes teeth can make your teeth sensitive to eating, drinking, and even smiling. Don’t let the pain and unsightliness of a receding gum line go untreated. Contact the oral care team at Willow Glen Dental Specialists in San Jose, California to get your gums back to their natural look and feel.

Gum Grafting Q & A

What is gum grafting?

Gum grafting — sometimes called gingival graft or periodontal plastic surgery — is a surgical procedure used to augment the gums, especially in the case of a receding gum line.

Gum or gingival recession is a condition in which gum tissue recedes to the point of exposing the depths of a tooth, such as the roots.

A receding gum line loosens the gums attachment to the tooth, creating pockets or gaps between the gums and the tooth. That makes teeth more vulnerable to loosening, plaque build up, damage, and diseases impacting the health of the tooth.

If detected early on, the special oral hygiene attention provided by a professional dentist can prevent gum recession. The space created by gums becoming unattached can be cleaned and cared for in order for the gums to reattach.

However, catching gum recession later, without the proper care, means that the gums can’t reattach on their own without periodontal surgery.


What causes gum recession?

Several factors determine whether or not your gums are susceptible to gum recession. Genetics, lifestyle, and underlying conditions that lead to gum recession include:

  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Teeth misalignment
  • Genetically receding gums
  • Aggressive brushing or flossing
  • Damage or trauma to the gum tissue
  • Teeth grinding


What are the different types of gum grafts?

With a thorough examination, the experienced oral surgeons and periodontal specialists at Willow Glen Dental Specialists can accurately determine the best type of gum grafting technique.

These techniques have advanced over the years to make gum grafting easier and more effective than ever. The most common gum grafting procedures today include:


Connective-tissue grafts

This is where your dentist takes the tissue from another, similar tissue in your mouth — such as tissue from the roof of the mouth — which they then transfer to the exposed area in the gums.


Pedicle grafts

This is a technique where your dentist uses tissue taken directly next to the tooth that they're treating.


Free gingival grafts

Very similar to the connective-tissue graft technique, free gingival grafts use palate tissue to cover the receding gum line.

Gum grafting is a simple procedure that can help relieve the symptoms of gum recession by using your natural gum tissue. Contact the San Jose-based offices of Willow Glen Dental Specialists to get your gums looking and feeling healthier.