Soft Tissue Grafting – Gum Grafts to Rebuild Healthy Gums

At Bedrock Dentistry, our soft tissue grafting procedures—also called gum grafts—restore receding gums, protect exposed tooth roots, and create the healthy, thick gum tissue you need for long-lasting dental health. Whether you're experiencing tooth sensitivity from gum recession, need to improve your smile's appearance, or require gum preparation before dental implants, we offer advanced gum grafting techniques tailored to your specific needs and comfort level.

What is a gum graft (soft tissue graft) and why would I need it?

A gum graft, technically called soft tissue grafting, is a specialized periodontal procedure that transplants healthy gum tissue to areas where your gums have receded or become too thin. Gum recession happens when the gum tissue pulls away from your teeth, exposing the tooth roots and creating gaps that bacteria can attack. This leads to increased tooth sensitivity, higher risk of root decay, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss if left untreated.

You may need a gum graft if you notice longer-looking teeth, sensitive roots when eating or drinking hot and cold foods, visible yellow or darker tooth roots near the gum line, or if you've been told you don't have enough gum tissue to support dental implants. The gum graft procedure covers exposed roots, stops recession from progressing further, reduces sensitivity, and creates a stronger, more attractive gum line that protects your teeth for the long term.

What happens during a gum graft procedure?

During your gum graft at Bedrock Dentistry, we numb the treatment area completely so you feel no discomfort. We then make a small incision at the recession site to create a pocket where the graft tissue will be placed. The graft material is carefully positioned to cover exposed roots and increase gum thickness, then secured with fine sutures. We may apply tissue-stimulating proteins to promote natural healing and integration. The entire gum graft procedure typically takes one to two hours depending on how many teeth need treatment.

Initial healing occurs within one to two weeks, with swelling peaking around day three. However, full tissue integration and stabilization takes three to six months as the grafted tissue bonds with your existing gums and establishes a healthy blood supply.

What are the different types of gum graft tissue?

We offer two main types of graft tissue at Bedrock Dentistry, and we'll help you choose the best option based on your specific case, healing goals, and personal preferences.

Autogenous Connective Tissue Grafts (Your Own Tissue)

Autogenous gum grafts use tissue harvested from your own mouth, typically from the roof of your mouth (palate). This is the most common and predictable type of gum graft because your body recognizes its own tissue, which virtually eliminates rejection risk and promotes faster, more reliable healing.

During a connective tissue graft, we take a small flap of tissue from beneath the surface layer of your palate, accessing only the deeper connective tissue layer. This technique is especially effective for covering exposed tooth roots and significantly increasing gum thickness around teeth or implants. The palate donor site heals quickly—usually within one to two weeks—and most patients report only mild discomfort that's easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication.

The main advantage of using your own tissue for the gum graft is superior integration, excellent blood supply to the graft site, and long-term predictability. The minor drawback is that it requires a second surgical site (your palate), which adds a few extra days of healing and temporary tenderness when eating.

Acellular Dermal Matrix – ADM (Human Donor Tissue)

Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) is processed human donor tissue from a certified tissue bank. The tissue undergoes rigorous screening, sterilization, and processing to remove all cells, leaving only the collagen scaffold that your body uses as a framework to grow new gum tissue. This means there's no risk of disease transmission or tissue rejection.

The primary advantage of ADM gum grafts is that they eliminate the need for a palate donor site, reducing overall discomfort and surgical time. This option is ideal for patients who need larger gum grafts covering multiple teeth, those who prefer to avoid a second surgical site, or patients with a thin or sensitive palate. ADM also allows us to treat more extensive areas in a single procedure without being limited by how much tissue we can safely harvest from your palate.

ADM integrates well and stimulates your body to build new natural gum tissue over the collagen framework. Recovery is often faster and more comfortable since you're only healing one surgical site instead of two. The trade-off is slightly higher material cost, which we'll discuss transparently during your consultation.

Which type of gum graft tissue is right for me?

We recommend autogenous connective tissue grafts when treating one to three teeth with moderate recession, when you want the most predictable long-term gum graft results, or when implant success depends on thick, robust gum tissue with excellent blood supply.

We recommend Acellular Dermal Matrix gum grafts when treating larger areas involving four or more teeth, when your palate tissue is too thin to safely harvest, when you want to minimize discomfort and recovery time, or when you prefer to avoid a second surgical site.

Both gum graft techniques have excellent success rates and can achieve beautiful, healthy results. During your consultation, we'll examine your specific recession pattern, discuss your comfort priorities, and recommend the gum graft approach that gives you the best outcome for your unique situation.

How do I care for my gums after a gum graft?

Avoid brushing or touching the grafted area for the first month to allow the tissue to attach securely. Use a special antimicrobial rinse we provide instead of brushing the surgical site. Stick to soft, cool foods and avoid anything hot, spicy, crunchy, or chewy that could disturb the gum graft. Don't pull your lip to look at the graft, as this tension can cause the sutures to tear or the graft to shift.

After your 1 month follow-up when we remove sutures, you can begin brushing the area very gently with an ultra-soft toothbrush. The grafted gums will continue maturing and thickening over the next three to six months, so continue being gentle during this integration period.

Why choose Bedrock Dentistry for gum grafts in Austin?

Our periodontal specialists perform gum graft procedures daily using the latest microsurgical techniques, ensuring precise placement, minimal discomfort, and optimal aesthetic results. We offer both autogenous and ADM gum graft options so you have choices that fit your comfort level and clinical needs. If you've noticed receding gums, tooth sensitivity, or been told you need a gum graft before implants, contact us for a comprehensive evaluation—early treatment prevents more extensive recession and protects your smile for decades to come.