Gum Grafting for Receding Gums: What to Expect in Bossier City, LA

Quick answer: Gum grafting is a periodontal procedure that adds tissue, either from the roof of the patient’s mouth or from a processed donor source, to areas where gum recession has exposed tooth roots. Patients in Bossier City, LA typically consider grafting when recession causes sensitivity, an uneven smile line, or a risk of further bone loss around the tooth. Recovery generally takes one to two weeks for initial healing, with continued tissue maturation over several months. Grafting will not reverse every case of recession on its own, so an evaluation at Shreveport Periodontal Specialists helps determine which technique fits your specific situation.

What Causes Gum Recession in the First Place?

Receding gums do not happen overnight. Common causes our periodontists see in Bossier City patients include aggressive tooth brushing, untreated gum disease, teeth grinding, misaligned teeth or bite pressure, tobacco use, and genetics, since some people simply have thinner gum tissue from birth. Hormonal changes and certain orthodontic movements can also thin the tissue over the tooth root over time.

Because recession has several possible causes, treating only the symptom without addressing the underlying issue, such as active Gum Disease Treatment needs or a misaligned bite, can lead to the graft failing or recession returning at the same site later.

Do You Actually Need a Gum Graft?

Not every case of recession requires surgery. A periodontist will typically recommend grafting when one or more of the following applies:

• Root sensitivity to cold, heat, or sweets that has not improved with desensitizing toothpaste
• Recession that is progressively worsening at the same tooth over multiple checkups
• Visible root exposure that affects the appearance of your smile
• Thin or absent gum tissue that puts the tooth at risk for further bone loss
• Recession severe enough to interfere with a planned dental restoration, such as a crown or a future Dental Implant 

If recession is mild and stable, your periodontist may simply monitor it at your regular cleanings rather than recommend immediate surgery.

Types of Gum Grafting Procedures

There are a few different techniques, and which one is used depends on how much tissue is needed and where the recession is located.

• Connective tissue graft: Tissue is taken from beneath the surface layer of the palate and stitched over the exposed root. This is the most common technique because it provides a strong blood supply and predictable coverage.
• Free gingival graft: A thin layer of tissue is taken directly from the palate surface, often used to thicken existing gum tissue rather than cover a root.
• Pedicle graft: Nearby gum tissue is partially cut and slid over the recession site rather than harvested from the palate, which can mean a faster recovery when there is enough adjacent tissue available.
• Allograft or donor tissue graft: Processed donor tissue is used instead of tissue from your own palate, which some patients prefer to avoid a second surgical site.

What Is Recovery Like After a Gum Graft?

Recovery varies depending on the technique and how many teeth are treated, but a general timeline looks like this for patients treated at our Bossier City, LA office:

• Days 1 to 3: Soft, cool foods only. Some swelling and tenderness at both the graft site and the donor site (if palate tissue was used) is normal.
• Days 4 to 10: Gradual return to a normal diet as the surgical site stabilizes. A follow up visit checks healing and removes any sutures that were not self dissolving.
• Weeks 2 to 4: Tissue continues to firm up and take on a more natural color and texture.
• Months 2 to 3: Final tissue maturity, at which point the results are considered stable and long term.

Good oral hygiene during healing is important, but brushing directly over the graft site is usually restricted for the first couple of weeks. Your periodontist will give you a specific home care routine for this period.

Can Gum Grafting Be Combined With Other Periodontal Treatment?

Yes, and often it should be. If recession is related to active infection, your periodontist may recommend treating the disease first through scaling and root planing or laser therapy before grafting, since grafting onto actively inflamed tissue reduces the chance of success. In some cases, grafting is performed alongside Crown Lengthening or other procedures if a restoration is also planned for the same tooth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Grafting

Does gum grafting hurt?

The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia, so patients do not feel pain during grafting. Afterward, most people describe mild to moderate soreness for a few days, which is generally well controlled with over the counter pain medication.

Will my gums grow back on their own without a graft?

No. Gum tissue does not regenerate or grow back on its own once it has receded. This is why grafting, rather than waiting, is often recommended once recession reaches a point where the root is exposed or sensitivity develops.

How long do gum graft results last?

When the underlying cause of recession, such as brushing technique or bite issues, is also addressed, graft results are typically stable for many years or permanently. Continued periodontal maintenance helps protect the investment.

Can I have multiple teeth grafted in one appointment?

In many cases, yes. Multiple adjacent teeth with similar recession can often be treated in a single surgical session, which your periodontist will discuss based on the amount of donor tissue needed and your comfort during a longer appointment.

Is gum grafting covered by dental insurance?

Many dental insurance plans provide at least partial coverage for gum grafting when it is medically necessary rather than purely cosmetic. Our Bossier City team can help verify your specific benefits before scheduling treatment.

Schedule a Gum Grafting Evaluation in Bossier City, LA

If you have noticed longer looking teeth, tooth sensitivity, or a periodontist has flagged recession at a past cleaning, Dr. Amber Kreko and the team at Shreveport Periodontal Specialists can evaluate whether grafting is right for you.

Visit our Bossier City office at 2160 Airline Dr., Bossier City, LA 71111, or call (318) 416 9539. Patients closer to Shreveport can reach our other location at (318) 868 0535 (745 Edgemont Street, Shreveport, LA 71106). Request an appointment anytime through our Contact Us page.