Rebuild

Gum grafting in Orem, Utah

When gums pull away from the teeth they expose the roots, which are not built to be exposed. Patients notice it two ways: teeth that hurt with anything cold, and roots that show when they smile.

A connective tissue graft covers the exposed root and rebuilds the protective band of tissue around the tooth. While several grafting techniques and substitute materials are available today, connective tissue remains the gold standard.

Recession has causes worth identifying before treating: periodontal disease pulling the gums away from the teeth, and brushing too hard — which can literally brush the gums away. Both are addressed as part of treatment.

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Reasons patients come in

Teeth that hurt with cold food or drink
Roots showing when they smile
Pain when brushing a particular tooth
A graft done elsewhere that failed
Their dentist warned them the recession is progressing

Read what graft patients wrote afterwards: connective tissue graft testimonials.

Six grafting cases

Open in the case gallery

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Case 01 · Left side, back teeth

“Get it checked out before you start losing teeth”

This otherwise healthy 23-year-old presented with advanced gingival recession on her side and back teeth. She had recently started dating, and her boyfriend mentioned she should get it checked out before she started losing her teeth. We treated her left side first, where the recession and root exposure were worse. These photographs are her two-week visit following connective tissue grafting; her right side was treated the following month.

After: retracted intraoral view two weeks after grafting, the roots covered by healthy gum tissue. — Graft case #1 Drag to compare

Before: retracted intraoral view showing gum recession and exposed root surfaces on the left side. — Graft case #1 Drag to compare

Case 02 · Upper canines

Aware of it in every meeting

This 41-year-old from Pleasant Grove presented with recession on his upper canines. He objected to how it had affected his smile and his normally outgoing personality — he was aware of it in social and professional settings alike. His main treatment objective was 100% root coverage of his unsightly roots.

After: retracted intraoral view with the canine roots fully covered by grafted tissue. — Graft case #2 Drag to compare

Before: retracted intraoral view showing recession and exposed roots on both upper canines. — Graft case #2 Drag to compare

Case 03 · Sensitivity

He wanted a glass of milk back

This 53-year-old presented with exposed, sensitive root surfaces on his upper canines. He could no longer eat or drink anything remotely cold without pain. Although he was concerned about appearance, his main objective was to eliminate the hypersensitivity and enjoy some of the simple things in life — a glass of milk, for example. These results were taken two months after eliminating the recession.

After: retracted intraoral view two months post-operative, the root surfaces covered. — Graft case #3 Drag to compare

Before: retracted intraoral view showing exposed, sensitive root surfaces on the upper canines. — Graft case #3 Drag to compare

Case 04 · Upper canines

Six weeks after treatment

This 28-year-old from Lehi presented with recession on her upper canines, which were extremely sensitive. After discussing her grafting options she elected to have the recession treated with connective tissue. The after photograph was taken six weeks post-operatively.

After: retracted intraoral view six weeks after connective tissue grafting. — Graft case #4 Drag to compare

Before: retracted intraoral view showing recession on the upper canines. — Graft case #4 Drag to compare

Case 05 · Brushing damage

Twenty years of brushing too hard

This 27-year-old from Price has a history of being pretty aggressive with his brushing. The result below is only possible through connective tissue grafting. While there are several grafting techniques and substitute materials available today, connective tissue remains the gold standard.

After: retracted intraoral view with the gum line rebuilt by connective tissue grafting. — Graft case #5 Drag to compare

Before: retracted intraoral view showing recession from aggressive toothbrushing. — Graft case #5 Drag to compare

Case 06 · Lower right canine

Tender to brush, painful to eat

This Provo patient presented with advanced recession on her lower right canine. The tooth was tender to brush and hurt when eating. The results with connective tissue grafting speak for themselves.

After: retracted intraoral view with the lower right canine root covered. — Graft case #6 Drag to compare

Before: retracted intraoral view showing advanced recession on the lower right canine. — Graft case #6 Drag to compare

Why gums recede in the first place

Grafting treats the damage. Understanding the cause is what keeps it from coming back.

Read all frequently asked questions

Find out whether grafting is the right answer.

A consultation establishes how much recession there is, what caused it, and whether a graft will hold.

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