Expert Gum Grafting Treatment

Restore Or Reshape Your Smile

Gum recession is more than just an aesthetic issue. When your gums weaken and recede, this exposes the root of your tooth to food particles, bacteria, and acid - leading to a higher risk of decay and infection over time.

At Dental Wellness, we take a more conservative, patient-focused approach to gum grafting. Dr. Douglas Walker has years of experience restoring gum health using both traditional and minimally invasive techniques, with a focus on preserving your natural tissue whenever possible. We also offer sedation options to keep you comfortable throughout your procedure.

What Is Gum Grafting And How Does It Work?

Gum grafting is necessary when your natural gums have receded and exposed the roots of your tooth. The procedure involves taking some tissue from elsewhere in your mouth and grafting it onto your gums near the affected area.

Over time, the grafted tissue heals around your tooth, covering up the root and locking your tooth into place. This eliminates issues like tooth sensitivity and loose teeth and also reduces your risk of tooth decay, dental infections, and gum disease.

A Minimally Invasive Alternative: Pinhole Surgical Technique

In some cases, traditional gum grafting may not be necessary. At Dental Wellness, we also offer the Pinhole Surgical Technique - a minimally invasive approach to treating gum recession without the need for scalpels or sutures.

Using a small pinhole-sized entry point, Dr. Walker gently repositions your existing gum tissue to cover exposed tooth roots. This approach allows us to preserve your natural tissue while improving both function and appearance.

Compared to traditional grafting, the pinhole technique offers:

• Minimal discomfort
• Faster healing time
• No need for donor tissue
• Immediate cosmetic improvement

During your consultation, Dr. Walker will determine whether this technique is a good fit for your specific needs.

When Is Gum Grafting Necessary?

Gum grafting is only necessary if you have gum recession. This is a condition where your gums begin to weaken and recede (pull away) from your teeth. If you have gum recession, you may notice that your teeth look longer, and you may even see the root (bottom) of one or more teeth.

Gum recession is most commonly caused by untreated gum (periodontal) disease. Over time, gum disease eats away at your natural gum tissue. This causes gum recession, and can even damage your jaw bone and lead to tooth loss.

While gum disease is the most common cause, there are also some other factors that can cause gum recession, including: 

• Genetic factors
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Certain hormonal changes
• Overly-aggressive brushing
• Using toothbrushes with hard bristles
• Smoking, vaping, or using oral nicotine/tobacco

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Understanding The Gum Grafting Process

Before you get a gum graft, you’ll need to visit Dr. Walker for a consultation at our office. Depending on the cause of your gum recession, additional treatments may be needed to restore your oral health before you can get a gum graft. Once you’re approved, here’s what you can expect from the process:

Numbing and sedation

First, Dr. Walker will numb the treatment area to ensure you feel no discomfort. We also specialize in sedation dentistry at Dental Wellness. If you need a little more help feeling comfortable, you can choose from a variety of options including laughing gas, pill-based sedation, or IV sedation.

Gum preparation

Once your mouth is numb, Dr. Walker will begin by making a small incision in the gums near the affected site and make a small flap in the tissue. He will also thoroughly clean the roots of the teeth to eliminate any bacteria.

Tissue harvesting and grafting

Next, Dr. Walker will remove a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth. He will take this tissue and place it in the area where your gums have receded. Then, he will suture it into place. This allows the new graft to heal and attach to your gums. If you have more than one area that needs a gum graft, Dr. Walker will repeat this process to restore the rest of your gums.

Safe, Modern Alternatives To Metal Fillings

As part of our commitment to whole-health dentistry, we also offer safe removal and replacement of older metal (silver/amalgam) fillings.

Many traditional fillings contain mercury and other metals. While durable, these materials can expand, contract, and affect the surrounding tooth structure over time.

At Dental Wellness, we use a careful, safety-focused process when removing metal fillings to minimize exposure and protect your overall health. These fillings can then be replaced with tooth-colored, biocompatible materials that blend naturally with your smile.

Benefits of replacing metal fillings include:

• Improved aesthetics with natural-looking results
• No visible dark or metallic areas in your smile
• Support for a more holistic, biocompatible approach to care

If you’re interested in updating older dental work, Dr. Walker can walk you through your options during your visit.

Finishing up

Once he’s finished, he will send you home with a set of instructions to follow as you recover from your surgery. Follow them closely to reduce discomfort, minimize your risk of infection, and ensure that your gums heal properly. You will also need to come into Dental Wellness for a few checkups over the next several weeks so that Dr. Walker can track your progress and make sure everything looks good.