Gum Grafting in Westlake Village
When gums pull back from a tooth, they expose the root surface beneath. That surface was never meant to face hot coffee, cold water, or the bristles of a toothbrush. Many people first notice gum recession as a sudden sensitivity, a tooth that looks longer than its neighbors, or a small notch near the gumline. Gum grafting rebuilds that missing tissue. For patients in Westlake Village, our Thousand Oaks office offers this procedure with a board-certified periodontist on our team, so you can get specialist-level gum care without being sent somewhere else.
Gum grafting is a periodontal procedure that places healthy tissue over areas where the gums have receded. The goal is to cover exposed root surfaces and restore a stable band of gum tissue around the tooth. In many cases, the tissue is taken from another area of your mouth, such as the palate, and secured where it is needed. Your periodontist will explain which approach fits your situation before anything begins.
Recession can develop for several reasons. Gum disease, aggressive brushing, teeth grinding, and thin natural gum tissue can all contribute. Because recession tends to progress gradually, addressing it early is often simpler than waiting. At our practice, gum grafting is one part of a broader periodontal program that also includes scaling and root planing, periodontal regeneration, crown lengthening, and gum contouring. That means we can treat the cause of recession, not just its appearance.
Patients from Westlake Village come to us with a range of concerns. Some are bothered by sensitivity, while others worry about how their smile looks. Some have been told at a routine visit that a few teeth are losing gum support. Grafting can help with each of these. Common reasons patients consider it include:
- Reducing sensitivity caused by exposed root surfaces
- Protecting roots from wear and decay
- Restoring a more even, balanced gumline
- Creating a healthier foundation around teeth or dental implants
- Supporting long-term stability after gum disease treatment
Candidacy depends on a careful exam. Our periodontist evaluates how much tissue has been lost, the health of the surrounding gums and bone, and any habits that may be contributing. If active gum disease is present, we typically address it first. Because our office also provides 2D and 3D imaging, we can look closely at the supporting structures before recommending treatment.
What happens during the gum grafting procedure?
Gum grafting is an in-office procedure performed by our board-certified periodontist, and the area is numbed before we begin. Your periodontist prepares the recession site, positions the graft tissue over the exposed root, and secures it so it can integrate with the surrounding gums. The length of the visit depends on how many teeth are being treated.
If dental visits make you anxious, you have options. We have a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff, and we offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. We will talk through which level of comfort makes sense for you during your consultation. Westlake Village patients do not need a referral to see our periodontist, so you can contact us directly to schedule an evaluation.
How do I care for my gums after a graft?
Recovery centers on protecting the graft while it heals, and we will give you specific written instructions before you leave. In general, you can expect to eat soft foods for a period of time, avoid brushing or flossing the treated area until we say it is ready, and skip anything that could disturb the site. If tissue was taken from your palate, that area will need gentle care as well.
Follow-up visits allow us to check how the graft is settling in and adjust your home care as you heal. Over the longer term, regular periodontal maintenance helps protect the results. If grinding or brushing habits contributed to your recession, we will discuss ways to address them, such as a night guard or adjustments to your brushing technique.
How can I pay for gum grafting?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and we welcome self-pay patients. Because our periodontics office files insurance claims as a specialist, our team can help you understand how your plan may apply to periodontal treatment before your procedure.
For patients who would rather spread out the cost, financing is available. We will review your treatment plan and the estimated costs with you ahead of time, so there are no surprises. If you live or work in Westlake Village and have noticed changes along your gumline, reach out to 805 Dentistry to schedule a periodontal evaluation with our team.