A More Balanced Smile
Improves Gingival Aesthetics
Receding gums can make teeth look long or uneven. A graft restores a balanced, natural-looking gumline for a more attractive smile.
Healthy gums do more than frame your smile; they protect your teeth, support dental implants, and shield sensitive roots from pain. When gum tissue recedes, it can leave teeth looking longer, feeling sensitive, and at greater risk over time.
At Des Moines Dental Center, we employ gum grafting to restore comfort, aesthetics, and the long-term health of our patients’ smiles.
Gum grafting (also called a gingival graft or gum graft surgery) is a periodontal procedure that adds healthy gum tissue to areas where the gums have thinned or receded.
The new tissue covers exposed tooth roots, rebuilds the gumline, and reinforces the foundation around your teeth and implants. The result is a fuller, healthier gumline that looks natural, feels comfortable, and gives your teeth the support they need to last.
Gum recession isn't just a cosmetic concern. As the gums pull away, they expose the softer, more vulnerable root surface, and that can lead to sensitivity, decay, and eventually tooth loss.
Gum grafting in Des Moines, WA, addresses several important goals at once:
Receding gums can make teeth look long or uneven. A graft restores a balanced, natural-looking gumline for a more attractive smile.
By re-covering exposed roots and rebuilding tissue, grafting strengthens the support around your teeth and helps protect them for years to come.
Healthy, thick gum tissue around an implant improves both its appearance and its long-term stability.
For patients who suffer from chronic sensitivity to hot and cold, covering the exposed root can significantly decrease that thermal tenderness and everyday discomfort.
Every smile is different, so we tailor the type of graft to your needs. In some cases, donor tissue or tissue-stimulating materials can be used instead of taking tissue from your own palate. We’ll review the best approach for you during your consultation. The most common options include:
The most common technique uses a thin layer of tissue from beneath the palate (roof of the mouth) to cover exposed roots.
Tissue is taken directly from the palate to add thickness to thin gums and is often used for patients who need more durable tissue.
Gum tissue is gently moved from an area adjacent to the recession, making it ideal when there’s plenty of healthy tissue nearby.
Gum grafting is a routine, well-established procedure performed right here in our Des Moines office. We begin by numbing the area for your comfort before gently preparing the receded site, securing the graft tissue, and closing the area to support healing—most often in a single visit. Throughout your appointment, our team focuses on keeping you relaxed and comfortable, true to our motto, “It’s all about the patient.”
Recovery is typically simple, with most patients returning to normal activities within a day or two and full tissue healing over the following weeks. We recommend eating soft, cool foods, avoiding tobacco, gently keeping the treated area clean as directed, and following any prescribed rinse or medication instructions. We’ll send you home with clear, personalized instructions, and we’re always just a phone call away if any questions come up.
Patients across Des Moines, Federal Way, Burien, Kent, and the greater South King County area trust us for warm, attentive, high-quality care. Our family-oriented practice combines state-of-the-art materials with up-to-date techniques, offering everything from routine cleanings to advanced periodontal treatment, such as gum grafting, all under one roof.
We also accept insurance and offer third-party financing options to help make your care affordable.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during treatment. Mild soreness afterward is normal and usually well managed with over-the-counter or prescribed medication.
Most patients feel back to normal within a few days, while the gum tissue continues to heal and strengthen over the following weeks.
For many patients, yes. Because sensitivity is often caused by exposed roots, covering them with a graft can noticeably reduce sensitivity to hot and cold.
Yes. Adding healthy tissue around an implant improves both its appearance and its long-term support and stability.
Coverage varies by plan. Because gum grafting is often medically necessary, many plans provide partial coverage. Our team will help you understand your benefits before treatment.
The best way to find out is through a quick evaluation. If you’re noticing recession, sensitivity, or exposed roots, schedule a consultation and we’ll discuss your treatment options.
