Gum grafting · root coverage

If your teeth look longer than before or feel sensitive at the gum line, your gums may have receded.

Root coverage is surgery that covers tooth roots exposed by receded gums with gum tissue. The surrounding gum is pulled up, and if needed a thin piece of connective tissue from the palate is placed underneath to thicken the gum.

Treatment room at Seoulpil Dental Clinic — Gum surgery is performed by Dr. Park himself in a private treatment room.

Who it is for

Teeth look increasingly long
The gum line is sensitive to cold water
There is a groove at the gum line
Front gums became thin after orthodontics
Gums are so thin that brushing hurts
Gum heights look uneven when I smile

Why gums recede

Gums recede little by little when naturally thin gums and bone combine with hard side-to-side brushing, teeth grinding, tooth movement during orthodontics or long-standing gum inflammation. If the cause remains and the root is only covered, the gum can recede again, so we check the cause before surgery.

Pointing at a dental model while explaining

We change the habits that cause it first

Brushing hard from side to side is a common cause of receding gums. Before and after surgery, we use a dental model to show a brushing method that is gentler on the gums.

How the surgery works

Connective tissue is placed over the exposed root, and the surrounding gum is pulled up to cover both.

Illustration before root coverage — **Before surgery**The gum has receded and the root is exposed.

Illustration of placing connective tissue and covering it with gum — **During surgery**Connective tissue from the palate is placed and the gum is pulled up.

Illustration after root coverage — **After surgery**The root is covered and the gum becomes thicker. How much is covered depends on bone height and gum condition.

Surgical methods

Connective tissue graft

Connective tissue from inside the palate is moved to thicken the gum. This is the most predictable method.

Tunnel · flap advancement

The surrounding gum is lifted to cover the root without large incisions. Used when treating several teeth at once.

Substitute materials

A collagen matrix or acellular dermis avoids taking tissue from the palate. We decide based on the area and gum thickness.

Treatment steps

Examination and diagnosisWe check gum thickness, bone height between teeth and the habits causing recession, and explain the expected result.
Preparing the gumsAny inflammation is treated first and your brushing method is adjusted.
SurgeryDone under local anesthesia, taking about an hour depending on the area.
Stitch removalStitches are removed at a visit about 1–2 weeks later.
Healing and maintenanceWe follow progress for the 2–3 months it takes the gum to settle, then continue with regular checkups.

Anesthesia: Local anesthesia
Surgery time: About 1 hour
Stitch removal: After 1–2 weeks
Back to daily life: Usually the next day

Before surgery

If tissue is taken from the palate, that area is the most uncomfortable for a few days.
Swelling and bruising may last about 3–5 days.
If bone and gum between the teeth are largely lost, the root may be only partly covered.
If the habits causing recession continue, the gum may recede again.
Results and recovery time vary with each patient's gum condition.

Frequently asked questions

Does gum grafting hurt a lot?

Surgery is done under local anesthesia, so there is almost no pain during the procedure. If tissue is taken from the palate, that area is the most uncomfortable for a few days, which painkillers and a protective plate can ease.

Can I return to daily life right after surgery?

Most people can go back to work the next day. Stitches come out after about 1–2 weeks; until then, avoid brushing the surgical area and eating hard food.

Will all of the receded gum be covered?

It depends on how much bone and gum remain between the teeth. If that tissue remains, full coverage is likely; if much is lost, only part may be covered, and we explain the expected range before surgery.

Is there a method that does not take tissue from the palate?

Depending on the area and gum thickness, substitute materials such as a collagen matrix or acellular dermis can be used. Results may be somewhat less predictable than with your own tissue, so we compare the pros and cons and decide together.

Can gums recede again after surgery?

If hard side-to-side brushing, teeth grinding or inflammation continue, recession can return. We correct the habits that cause it and check regularly.

Dr. Byoung-Kyou Park

Board-certified periodontist · wrote and reviewed this page. Lectures for dentists on periodontal plastic surgery. Last updated October 28, 2026