Gum Grafting Surgery

Gum recession is one of those problems that advances quietly. A millimeter here, another there — until one day you notice your teeth look longer, you feel sensitivity with something cold, or you see a yellowish tone near the gumline where root is exposed. Causes vary: aggressive brushing, gum disease, teeth grinding, even genetics. But the result is the same: exposed roots that are more vulnerable to decay, sensitivity, and further tissue loss.

Gum grafting reverses that process. We take tissue — from your own palate, processed donor tissue, or a collagen matrix — and place it carefully over the exposed roots, where it integrates with existing tissue. Beyond covering roots and reducing sensitivity, the graft creates a thicker, more resilient band of attached gum that guards against future recession. And there's a benefit our patients value enormously: the smile looks more balanced and youthful when the gumline returns to its natural position.

At Tribeca Dental Studio, we perform gum grafting as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, and most of our downtown Manhattan patients return to work the next day. The palate donor site — when we use your own tissue — heals within one to two weeks with the aftercare we provide. If the idea of a graft concerns you, a consultation at our Warren Street office will give you a clear picture of what to expect, with no obligation.