Periodontic Services

Soft Tissue Grafting in Bel Air, MD: Restoring Gum Tissue Lost to Recession

Gum recession exposes the roots of teeth, increasing sensitivity, creating an aesthetic concern, and putting the roots at higher risk of decay. Soft tissue grafting, commonly called a gum graft, restores the lost tissue by adding new gum in the affected area. At Elevated Smiles Dentistry in Bel Air, MD, Dr. Joshua Englander performs gum grafting to protect exposed roots and stabilize the gum tissue long-term.

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What Causes Gum Recession?

Gum recession has several causes. Aggressive brushing with a firm toothbrush or harsh scrubbing technique gradually wears away the gum margin over time. Periodontal disease destroys the attachment between gum and tooth and leads to recession as the tissue becomes inflamed and pulls back. Thin gum tissue, which is partly genetic, recedes more easily than thicker tissue. Orthodontic treatment that moves teeth outside the bone envelope can cause recession at the leading edge of movement. Clenching and grinding puts chronic pressure on the gum tissue through the roots. The cause matters because it affects what additional treatment is needed alongside the graft.

What Types of Soft Tissue Graft Does Elevated Smiles Offer?

The most common type is a connective tissue graft, where a small piece of tissue is harvested from the roof of the mouth under a flap and sutured at the recession site. This provides excellent thickness and coverage and avoids a visible wound at the donor site. A free gingival graft uses a small amount of surface tissue taken from the palate and placed directly at the recession site. This is used when the goal is to increase the width of attached gum rather than primarily root coverage. In some cases processed donor tissue from a tissue bank can be used, avoiding the need for a second surgical site entirely. Dr. Englander recommends the technique that best suits the location and severity of recession.

What Is Recovery Like After a Gum Graft?

Most patients experience mild to moderate soreness at both the graft site and the palate donor site for one to two weeks. A soft food diet is essential for the first week to avoid disturbing the graft. You will be given detailed post-operative instructions including how to keep the area clean without brushing the surgical site directly. A protective stent or periodontal dressing may be placed over the palate to reduce discomfort there. Dr. Englander schedules a one-week follow-up to check the graft is healing correctly, with suture removal at approximately two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Tissue Grafting

Is a gum graft painful?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia so you feel no pain during it. The palate donor site is typically the most uncomfortable area afterward. Prescribed or over-the-counter pain relief manages this well for most patients during the first three to five days.

Will the gum graft look natural?

Yes. The goal is to blend the grafted tissue with the surrounding gum so the result looks uniform. The graft tissue takes on the characteristics of the surrounding gum over time. Some initial color difference is normal while healing and resolves over several weeks.

How long does a gum graft last?

A successfully integrated gum graft is permanent. However, the same habits or conditions that caused the original recession can cause recession to recur if not addressed. Dr. Englander will discuss any brushing technique changes, nightguard use, or gum disease management needed to protect the grafted tissue.

Does insurance cover gum grafting?

Most dental insurance plans cover soft tissue grafting when it is performed for functional or health reasons such as root coverage to prevent decay or to treat recession caused by gum disease. Purely cosmetic gum grafting may not be covered. Our team confirms your coverage before scheduling.

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    Dr. Joshua Englander, DDS

    Page written and reviewed by:

    Dr. Joshua Englander, DDS

    Doctor of Dental Surgery · Elevated Smiles Dentistry, Bel Air, MD · Last reviewed: July 2026