What is a gum graft?
A gum graft (gingival or soft-tissue graft) is a procedure that places soft tissue where the gums have thinned or pulled away from the tooth. Tissue is transferred from another site or, when appropriate, a substitute material is used—this is not the same as every gum surgery that only repositions existing tissue. Exposed roots can feel sensitive and may be harder to keep clean.
Not every area of recession needs a graft. Some people are monitored; others need gum disease control first. A gum graft is also different from a Bone Graft Applications, which is aimed at increasing bone volume or support rather than soft tissue alone.
What a graft can aim to do
After examination, goals may include building thicker, more robust gum tissue around the tooth, making cleaning more comfortable, reducing sensitivity when roots are covered, or improving the gum line. How much root surface can be covered depends on the recession pattern, the surrounding tissue and how healing progresses. Incomplete root cover is not the same as a graft that fails to take; a partial change is not automatically a full success either.
One option in this soft-tissue family is a Connective Tissue Graft Surgery, often discussed when covering an exposed root or adding soft-tissue volume is the focus. Other designs mainly strengthen and widen the firm gum band beside the tooth; covering the root may then be a secondary aim. Your clinician explains which goal fits your teeth.
Where the tissue comes from
When your own tissue is used, the palate (roof of the mouth) is a common source. That creates a second surgical area in the mouth that also needs care. Depending on the method, another source in the mouth or a suitable substitute material may be considered. The choice follows examination and planning—not every gum graft uses the same approach.
During and after the procedure
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. The recipient site is prepared, the graft is secured (often with stitches), and a protective dressing or plate may be used when a second site was opened for tissue. Mild soreness, swelling or brief light bleeding in the early days can occur.
Review visits check healing. Timing varies with the procedure and how you recover. Discomfort is managed with the advice your clinician gives you for your case.
Care at home
Follow the written instructions for your procedure. Do not brush or floss on the new graft or surgical area until your clinician says it is safe; keep cleaning the rest of the mouth as advised. Avoid pulling the lip or cheek back repeatedly to look at the site. Soft foods and lighter activity are often suggested early on.
When to contact the team
Contact the team promptly for heavy bleeding that does not settle with the method you were shown, pus, fever, or pain or swelling that is clearly getting worse. If a dressing comes loose or stitches look disturbed, get in touch rather than adjusting them yourself.
Appointments: Contact. Department: Periodontology and Gum Aesthetics.