Gum recession happens when the gum line pulls back and shows more of the tooth, sometimes including the tooth roots. Gingival recession surgery is one way a dentist may cover an exposed root and add thicker gum tissue where it has worn thin.
At Cross Road Dental in South Plympton, we look at why your gums have receded before talking through any treatment options.
Quick Overview
- Gingival recession surgery is a group of procedures that move or add gum tissue where the gums have pulled back.
- It may suit people with exposed tooth roots, tooth sensitivity or thinner gum tissue, though not every case of receding gums needs surgery.
- It can help protect the root surface and may ease sensitivity, but how much coverage is possible varies from tooth to tooth.
- The cause of the recession, the type of graft and your daily habits all affect how things settle over time.
- An assessment of your gum health usually guides the next step.
Below, we explain the main types of gum graft, what the recovery process looks like and what can affect cost.
What Is Gingival Recession Surgery?
Gingival recession surgery places healthy tissue over the affected tooth to cover the exposed root. The tissue may come from the roof of your mouth, from gum beside the tooth or from a donor material. Exposed roots have no enamel, so they can feel sensitive and may be more prone to decay.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Several factors can play a part:
- Gum disease: Plaque along the gum line can lead to periodontal disease, which may cause gums to shrink back.
- Poor oral hygiene: Plaque left on the teeth allows inflammation to progress into the tissue and bone that support them.
- Brushing too hard: Heavy pressure can wear thinner gum tissue over time.
- Other factors: Smoking, diabetes, family history, tooth position and bone loss.
Managing gum disease usually comes first. Our gum disease treatment may include a deep cleaning before graft surgery is considered.
What Types of Gum Graft Are There?
The approach depends on how much recession there is, how many teeth are affected and how thick your gums are.
- Connective tissue graft: A small flap is opened on the roof of your mouth, and tissue is taken from underneath. This graft tissue is placed over the exposed root.
- Free gingival graft: Tissue is taken from the surface of the palate. This is often used to thicken gums rather than cover a root.
- Pedicle graft: Gum next to the affected tooth is moved across while still attached at one edge.
Some surgical procedures also use platelet-rich fibrin, made from your own blood, to support healing. The minimally invasive pinhole surgical technique may suit some people. Our guide to understanding gum surgery covers other procedures.
What Does the Research Say About Gum Grafting Surgery?
A review of 48 clinical trials found that most root coverage procedures reduced gum recession, though the evidence quality was low and no single method was clearly best.
A review of 15 trials with at least two years of follow-up found that adding a connective tissue graft was linked with more stable results than flap surgery alone.
Leaving recession untreated has its own risks. In a review of untreated gum recession, around 78% of sites got deeper over an average of about nine years, even with good oral hygiene. Individual outcomes vary.
What Is the Recovery Process Like?
Gum surgery is usually done under local anaesthetic. If you feel anxious, sedation options can be discussed at your consultation.
Mild discomfort is common, especially where tissue was taken from the palate. A review of donor site healing found it was usually highest in the first three days and eased by around day seven.
In the following weeks, it may help to:
- Eat soft, cool foods such as yoghurt, eggs and soups
- Avoid spicy foods, hot drinks and crunchy textures
- Leave the graft site alone until your dentist says to clean it
Long term, brush gently twice a day with a soft toothbrush, clean between your teeth and keep up regular general dental check-ups.
What Affects Gum Graft Cost?
Surgery cost depends on how many teeth need treatment, the type of graft, whether donor material or platelet-rich fibrin is used and whether gum disease needs treating first. Your health fund cover may also change what you pay. An estimate can be given after your assessment.
A Considered Approach to Treating Gingival Recession
Not every receding gum line needs surgery. If you’ve noticed longer-looking teeth, sensitivity or changes in your gums, an assessment can help you understand your options.
If you’d like to talk about whether gum grafting may be suitable for you, we welcome you to call us on (08) 8004 5137, and our friendly team at Cross Road Dental will help you explore your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gingival recession surgery painful?
The area is numbed during treatment. Mild discomfort is common for a few days afterwards, mostly where tissue was taken.
Can receding gums grow back?
Receded gum tissue doesn’t usually grow back by itself. Treating gum disease and brushing gently may help slow further recession.
How long does gum graft recovery take?
Many people return to normal activities within a day or two. The graft site usually takes a few weeks to settle.
How many teeth can be treated at once?
This depends on how much recession there is and how much donor tissue is available. Several nearby teeth can sometimes be treated in one visit.
What happens if gum recession is left untreated?
Recession can get deeper over time and expose more of the root. This may lead to sensitivity, root decay and, with advanced gum disease, tooth loss.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Individual outcomes vary. Before proceeding, seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
- Healthdirect Australia. (2025, February). Gum disease. healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/gum-disease
- Australian Dental Association. (n.d.). Gum diseases. Teeth.org.au. https://teeth.org.au/gum-diseases
- Chambrone, L., Salinas Ortega, M. A., Sukekava, F., Rotundo, R., Kalemaj, Z., Buti, J., & Pini Prato, G. P. (2018). Root coverage procedures for treating localised and multiple recession-type defects. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018(10), CD007161. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007161.pub3
- Dai, A., Huang, J. P., Ding, P. H., & Chen, L. L. (2019). Long-term stability of root coverage procedures for single gingival recessions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 46(5), 572-585. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13106
- Chambrone, L., & Tatakis, D. N. (2016). Long-term outcomes of untreated buccal gingival recessions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Periodontology, 87(7), 796-808. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2016.150625
- Chong, W. J., Razali, M., Baharin, B., & Nik Azis, N. M. (2025). Postoperative pain and morbidity at the donor site after palatal soft tissue harvesting: A systematic review. BMC Oral Health, 25, 1960. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-07198-2